“Any bullying, unkindness, untruthfulness, dis.. obedience may be brought before the Meeting, and we will decide what punishment shall be given Please be sure you understand the difference between a real complaint and telling tales, because telling tales is also punished. If you are not sure of the difference, ask your monitor before you bring your complaint to the Meeting.” The girl Judge sat down. The boy Judge got up. and beamed round the listening company. “We will now take the money,” be said. “After that we will hand out the two shillings to everyone, and then see if anybody wants extra this week. Thomas, take the box round, please.” Elizabeth was quite sure she was not going to give up her money. She quickly pushed her purse under her and sat on it hard.
Thomas came round with the box, Money clinked into it-shillings and sixpences, half-crowns and even a ten-shilling note or two went into the big box.
The box came to Elizabeth. She passed it on without putting her money into it. But Thomas the monitor noticed it at once. “Haven’t you any money at all?” he asked.
Elizabeth pretended not to hear. Thomas said no more, but went on taking the box round. Elizabeth was pleased. “I did what I wanted to them and they couldn’t stop me!” she thought.
Thomas took the box up to the Judge. It was very heavy now. He put it on their table and said something to them in a low voice.
William, the boy Judge, rapped on his table with the hammer. Everyone stopped chattering.
“Elizabeth Allen did not put her money into the box,” he said. “Elizabeth, have you no money?” “Yes, I have,” answered Elizabeth defiantly. “But I’m going to keep it.” “Stand up when you speak to me,” ordered the Judge. Elizabeth felt Ruth’s hard fingers poking her again and she stood up. Ruth saw the purse on the form, and quickly picked it up.
“Why do you want to keep your money to yourself?” asked William. “Are you so very selfish?” “No.” said Elizabeth. “But I think it’s a silly idea.” “Listen,” said William patiently. “In this school we don’t like to think that some of us have heaps of money to spend and others have hardly any. We all get the same, and if you want anything extra you can always have it if the Meeting agrees.” “Well, I’m not going to stay at this school very long,” said Elizabeth, in a rude. defiant voice. “And 1 shall want some money to go home by train-so I’m not going to give it to you.” There was a buzz of surprise and horror. The Judges and the Jury stared at Elizabeth as if she was something very queer indeed.
The two Headmistresses and the Master looked up with great interest, wondering what the Judges would say. William and Rita spoke together in low voices. Then they banged on the table with the hammer. Everyone was silent at once.
William spoke in a grave voice. “We think Elizabeth is wrong and silly,” he said. “Her parents are paying a lot of money to keep her in this fine school, and even if she goes home in a short while, her term’s fees still have to be paid. Also we think she is very feeble not to try and see if she likes Whyteleafe.” “If I’m not sent home, I’ll run away,” said Elizabeth, angry at being spoken of like this.
“That can’t be allowed,” said William at once. “You would worry your parents and everyone here, just because you are a selfish, silly girl. Ruth, is that Elizabeth’s money I see you waving at me? Bring it here.” Elizabeth made a snatch at her money, but it was too late. Ruth took the bag to the table and emptied six shillings, two half-crowns, and five sixpences into the money-box. Elizabeth blinked her eyes She wanted to cry, but she wasn’t going to.
“Elizabeth, we can’t allow you to keep your money in case you are foolish enough to use it for running away,” said Rita, in a kind but stern voice, One of the Jury stood up. It was a tall boy called Maurice. “I should like to say that the Jury think that Elizabeth Allen must not have any money at all to spend this week, because of her behaviour,” he said.
All the Jury put up their hands to show that they agreed.
“Very well,” said the Judge. “Now, Elizabeth, we shan’t say any more to you to-day, because you are a new girl, and must be given a chance to settle down, I hope you will have a good report at next week’s Meeting. We shall be very pleased if you do.” “Well, I shan’t, then,” said Elizabeth, in a furious voice. “You just wait and see what I’ll do.” “Sit down,” said William, losing his patience with the defiant little girl. “We’ve had enough of you for one meeting. Nora, give out the money to everyone, please.” Nora gave two shillings to everybody, except Elizabeth. The little girl sat sulking on her form, hating everybody. How dared they take her money? She would pay Ruth out for taking her purse like that! When everyone had their money, the Judges knocked for silence again. “Does anyone want extra money this week for anything?” asked William.
A small boy stood up. “I should like sixpence extra,” he said.
“What for?” asked William.
“I’ve been told I must give some money to the School Club, to help towards a new gramophone,” he said.
“Well, take it out of your two shillings,” said William. “Sit down. Sixpence extra not granted.” The boy sat down. A girl got up. “May I have one and ninepence extra to pay for an electric light bulb I broke by accident in the playroom?” she asked.
“Who’s your monitor?” asked Rita. One of the Jury stood up, a girl called Winnie.
“Was it a proper accident, Winnie, or just fooling about?” asked Rita.
“It was a proper accident,” said Winnie. “Elsie was trying to open a tin, and the opener flew out of her hand and broke the light bulb,” “Give her one and ninepence out of the box, then,” ordered Rita. Winnie took the money and gave it to the girl, who was very pleased.
“Any more requests?” asked William. Nobody said anything. “Any complaints or grumbles?” asked Rita.
Elizabeth felt uncomfortable, Would Nora complain about her? Would that boy she had kicked, who was a monitor, complain too? Goodness, this Meeting was lasting much too long! CHAPTER 8.
The First Week at School.
NOBODY made any complaints at all. Elizabeth couldn’t help feeling glad. “All the same, they’ll have plenty of complaints to make about me next week!” she thought. “I’ll just show them that I mean what I say!” Somebody had a grumble. It was a small boy called Wilfred. He stood up, looking rather shy.
“1 have a grumble,” he said, “Go on, then,” said William, the Judge.
“Please,” he said, “I learn music, and one of the times put down for my practice is half of, cricket-time on Tuesday. Could I have it changed, because I do bate missing cricket.” “Certainly,” said William. “Mr. Johns, do you think that could be changed?” “I’ll see to it,” said Mr. Johns, from the back of the room. “I’ll speak to the music-master and have it put right for Wilfred.” “Thank you,” said William and Wilfred together. There were no more grumbles. William hammered on the table.
“The Meeting is over,” he said, “The next will be held at the same time on the same day next week, Everyone must attend.” The children jumped up, talking loudly, and went out to their various tasks. Some had lessons to prepare for the next day. Some had pets to feed. Some wanted to practise cricket or tennis. Everyone seemed to have something to do.
All except Elizabeth. She seemed to have no one to talk to, no one to walk with. She knew it was her own fault, but she didn’t like it. She wandered off by herself and came to a little room where someone was playing the piano softly and beautifully.
Elizabeth loved music with all her heart. She crept into the little music-room and sat down to listen. Mr.
Lewis, the music-master, was there, playing to himself. When he finished, he turned round and saw Elizabeth.
“Hallo!” he said. “Did you like that?” “Yes, I loved it,” said Elizabeth. “It sounded to me like the sea.” “It was supposed to be the sea on a summer’s day,” said Mr. Lewis. He was an old man, with gentle eyes and a small grey beard. “It was written by a man who loved to put the sea into his music.” “I wish I could learn to play it,” said Elizabeth. “I really do wish I could. Am I supposed to be learning music at this school, do you know?” “What’s your name?” asked the music-master, taking out a small notebook and opening it. “Mine is Mr. Lewis.” “Mine is Elizabeth Allen,” said Elizabeth, “Yes-here’s your name,” said Mr. Lewis. “You are down for music lessons with me. That’s fine. We shall get on well together, and perhaps by the end of the term you will be able to play this sea-piece you like so much.” “I’d like that,” said Elizabeth, “but I shan’t be here long. I hate school.” “Dear me, what a pity,” said Mr. Lewis. “Most children simply love it-especially Whyteleafe School. Well, if you think you won’t be here long perhaps I had better cross your name off my list. It seems a waste of time to have any music lessons if you mean to go.” “Well-I might as well have one or two lessons,” said Elizabeth. “I suppose I couldn’t have one now, could I?” Mr. Lewis looked at his watch. “Yes,” he said. “I’ve got twenty minutes. Fetch your music and we’ll see what you can do.” Elizabeth was happy for the first time when she sat down at the piano with the music-master by her side. She played one of her favourite pieces. Mr. Lewis jerked his foot in time to the music and nodded his head when she had finished.