02 Jo of the Chalet School Read Online Free PDF

for one moment imagined we should grow like this. Of course, people like the Maranis and the Steinbruckes and the Mensches are only boarders for the winter. Still, it’s extraordinary; isn’t it?’
    Miss Maynard nodded. ‘In a way, I suppose it is. You struck a lucky pitch, you see. Then, they all like you enormously; and, after all, you are doing a lot for their girls, you know.’ She looked at her young Head with a smile.

    ‘It’s easy,’ replied Miss Bettany, as she pencilled her dormitory list. ‘They’re all such dears, and the girls are so keen on the school! Then, they’ve recommended us to their friends as well. The Maranis spoke to the von Eschenaus, and, of course, Paula is coming because her cousins are. The Eriksens are coming through the Stevens; and so it goes.’
    ‘And there goes the bell for Mittagessen !’ laughed Miss Maynard.
    ‘Good gracious!’ Miss Bettany leapt to her feet. ‘I meant to get through heaps this morning, and this room is all we’ve done. How awful!’
    They went downstairs, and presently the six were sitting round the table eating Nudelsuppe , followed by chicken, cooked in some delicious way which was Marie’s own secret, and Apfeltorte , a kind of cake with baked apples on the top. When it was over, the two mistresses accompanied their charges to the boat-landing, and saw them on to the boat. It was a lovely day. Once more the September sun was shining, and the Tiern See was blue with the blueness which adds so much to its beauty. The Robin was delightfully happy over everything, and she shrieked with joy at ‘ Le lac si bleu !’ as she danced along the path. The bright day had tempted out the few visitors that still remained, and among them they saw once more the two Italian children and their father.
    Joey nudged her sister. ‘Look! Those are the girls we saw yesterday,’ she said.
    Madge looked at them with interest. She approved of the pair. They had a fresh, well-groomed appearance, and they seemed nice children. They, on their part, gazed at the group, which had reached the landing and stood waiting for the little steamer, with more than ordinary gazing.
    Miss Maynard noticed it too. ‘I believe the children are right,’ she said. ‘I shouldn’t be a bit surprised if you received a visit from their father, or whoever he is, before very long.’
    ‘Here’s the boat!’ said Grizel ecstatically. ‘Oh, isn’t it a topping day!’
    Miss Bettany raised her eyebrows at the forbidden slang, but she felt that she couldn’t be continually nagging at them, although she wished that Grizel would try to remember. Juliet saw, though the culprit didn’t, and determined to say something if she got the chance later on. Meanwhile, she turned her attention to the passengers coming off the boat.
    The next minute, Joey uttered a shriek: ‘Gisela! Gisela Marani!’
    A tall dark girl, who was walking sedately down the gangway, turned her head. ‘Joey!’ she cried. -‘Papa!
    Here is Joey!’
    ‘Oh, Gisela!’ exclaimed Grizel. ‘How lovely! I thought you weren’t coming till next week. We are going over to Seehof for tea. Can’t you come too?’
    Gisela glanced at her father for permission. ‘Certainly,’ he said smiling, as he raised his hat. ‘I make no doubt Fraulein Bettany will be pleased to have you go; so go, my child.’
    ‘Thank you, papa,’ said Gisela. ‘That will be so nice. -All right, Joey; I’m coming.’
    She ran round to join the others, while Herr Marani moved over to where Miss Bettany stood waving to them.
    ‘ Grüss Gott, Fraulein Bettany!’ he said, greeting her with the pretty Tyrolean greeting. ‘How goes it with you?’
    ‘It goes well, Herr Marani,’ she replied, giving him her hand. ‘How good of you to let Gisela go! Now I shall feel quite happy, as our head girl is with them. You see we have a very small new pupil?’
    ‘Yes; she is indeed a baby one,’ returned Herr Marani with a smile.
    ‘And how goes it with you? Is