The New Girl at St. Chad's: A Story of School Life

What's the use of asking me?" she replied. "Our cab only drove up half an hour ago.I feel almost new myself yet.""So do I, and horribly in the blues too," said Pauline Reynolds. "It's always a wrenchto leave home. I'm perfectly miserable for at least three days at the beginning ofeach term. I feel as if--""Oh, don't all begin to expatiate about your feelings!" broke in Chatty Burns. "Weknow Pauline's symptoms only too well: the first day she shows aggressively redeyes and a damp pocket-handkerchief; the second day she writes lengthy lettershome, begging to be allowed to return immediately and have lessons with a privategoverness; the third day she wanders about, trying to get sympathy from anyonewho is weak-minded enough to listen to her, till in desperation somebody drags herinto the playground, and makes her have a round at hockey. That cheers her up, and she begins to think life isn't quite such a desert. By the fourth morning she hasrecovered her spirits, and come to the conclusion that Chessington College is avery decent kind of place; and she begins to be alarmed lest her mother, on thestrength of the pathetic letter, should have decided to let her leave at once, andshould have already engaged a private governess.