by Enid Blyton
‘Of course I am,’ said Violet happily, knowing that her father would overrule her mother, and she would get her way. ‘There is a little box-room just above our dormitory, where no one ever goes, and Willow will be quite safe in there.’
‘But that won’t be good for her!’ said Mrs Forsyth. ‘She needs to be taken out every day and given exercise.’
‘She will be,’ said Violet. ‘I shall put her inside my coat and take her out every day, when there’s no one around. And if I’m not able to do it, there will be no shortage of willing helpers.’
‘Oh, dear!’ wailed Mrs Forsyth. ‘Faith, what do you think of this idea?’
Faith hesitated. She badly wanted to back up Mrs Forsyth, but Violet was her friend, and she would have to endure days of sulks and tantrums if she went against the girl. So Faith swallowed, and said, ‘I’m sure that, between us, we first formers can make sure that Willow is looked after, and that no one discovers her. It would be such fun to have her at school.’
‘That settles it then,’ said Mr Forsyth, clapping his hands together. ‘Willow stays at Malory Towers!’
12
Shocks and surprises
The girls were all pleasantly worn out after their busy half-term, but the first formers were reluctant to go to bed, each and every one of them determined to stay up until the bell went. They were in the common-room when Violet and Faith, having just said goodbye to Mr and Mrs Forsyth, came in, carrying a large wicker hamper between them.
‘Oho, what’s this?’ said Ivy, sitting up straight. ‘Goodies?’
‘Not exactly,’ said Violet as she and Faith set the hamper down on the floor. ‘It is something very nice though.’
‘Well, don’t keep us in suspense,’ said Daffy. ‘Let’s have a look.’
Violet lifted the lid of the hamper and reached in. There were gasps of amazement as she lifted out Willow, and Jenny said, ‘Violet, have you gone quite mad? You can’t possibly have Willow here at school with you! Miss Potts will soon discover her, then she will be sent home.’
‘Oh no, she won’t,’ said Violet coolly. ‘I intend to keep Willow in the little box-room upstairs.’
Then she looked round at the first formers, and said with a smile, ‘I hope that some of you will help me to feed her, and take her for walks.’
Of course, almost everyone wanted to help look after Willow, apart from one girl – and that was Daffy.
‘It’s cruel,’ she said. ‘Willow is used to roaming around in your big house. You can’t possibly keep her cooped up in a box-room.’
‘You didn’t think it was cruel when you put Queenie into Mam’zelle Dupont’s handbag,’ said Violet. ‘In fact, you thought that it was rather a good joke.’
For once, the ready-witted Daffy was lost for words, and could only glare at Violet.
‘Let’s take her up to the box-room now,’ said Maggie. ‘We shall have time to settle her in before bedtime.’
‘We had better not all go,’ said Faith. ‘If Matron or Miss Potts comes along and see us all trooping upstairs they will smell a rat.’
‘That’s true,’ said Violet. ‘You and I must go, of course, Faith. Then Maggie and Ivy, you follow in a few minutes, but make sure the coast is clear first.’
The four girls had great fun making Willow feel at home, fussing her and petting her.
‘She has had plenty to eat today,’ said Violet. ‘And she had a walk just before we brought her in, so she should be fine overnight.’
‘If we turn the hamper on to its side, and put this old blanket in there, it will do for a bed,’said Faith.’It’s probably not what Willow is used to at home, but it will do.’
‘Yes, and someone had better go to the shop tomorrow and buy her some food,’ said Ivy, tickling the cat under the chin. ‘She can’t be fed on scraps all the time, for that won’t be good for her.’
The four returned to the common-room just before the bell for bed-time went, and Violet was besieged by a crowd of eager girls, all offering to help look after her pet.
‘I can help to feed her, Violet!’
‘Oh, do let me take her for a walk! I’ll be very careful that no one sees us.’
‘I would so love to play with her, for she will need company at times.’
‘There will be plenty for everyone to do,’ said Violet, casting a sly glance at Daffy, who hadn’t said a word.
The girl had been thinking hard, though. Everyone wanted to be Violet’s friend now. But it wasn’t because they liked her, it was simply because they wanted to share in the fun of looking after the cat. And, knowing Violet, thought Daffy, it wouldn’t be very long before the novelty of being popular went to her head, and she began queening it over everyone. When that happened, her brief spell of popularity would soon be over.
Daffy also realised that if she stood out against the others, and refused to take an interest in Willow, it would look like sour grapes on her part.
So she returned Violet’s sly look with a sweet smile, saying, ‘Count me in, too, Violet. I have always wanted a cat of my own, and helping to look after Willow will be the next best thing.’
Violet looked rather surprised at this, but as the bell went for bed-time then, she said nothing.
As she snuggled down in bed, though, her thoughts were pleasant ones. Everyone wanted to be friends with her now, and soon she would win the whole form over. Why, even that horrid Daffy Hope had asked if she could help care for Willow. Violet smiled to herself in the darkness as she thought of Daffy, for the girl had a shock coming to her. Somehow, Violet was going to make sure that Felicity found out that the girl had been at the picnic, then Daffy would really be in hot water!
‘I simply must think of a way for Felicity to see that photograph, without her knowing that it is me who is behind it,’ said Violet to Faith, the next morning.
‘But, Violet, you can’t possibly go ahead with your plan now!’ said Faith.
‘I don’t see why not,’ said Violet, frowning. ‘You agreed with me that Daffy needs to be taught a lesson.’
‘Yes, but don’t you see?’ said Faith. ‘You are not in a position to stir up trouble for anyone now. If you sneak on Daffy, and she so much as suspects that you are behind it, she will retaliate by letting it slip that you have smuggled Willow into the school. Then you will be in as much trouble as she is – probably more!’
Violet bit her lip, for this had not occurred to her.
‘Blow! Yes, I suppose that you are right, Faith. Well, I shall just have to think of some other way of getting back at Daffy.’
As it happened, though, Felicity did find out about Daffy’s disobedience, and it was Faith – quite unwittingly – who was responsible.
Violet and Faith had been putting the photographs of the picnic into an album one Saturday afternoon, and, as they finished, Violet said, ‘Faith, would you be a dear and put the album on my cabinet in the dorm? I must go up to the box-room and feed Willow, for she will be starving.’
As Violet ran up the back stairs leading to the little box-room, Faith made her way to the dormitory, but as she turned a corner, she walked smack into a third former, and the album flew from her grasp.
‘Hey, watch where you’re going!’ said the third former, glaring at Faith before going on her way.
‘Well!’ thought Faith. ‘Of all the nerve! It was as much her fault as mine.’
The girl quickly picked up the album, but – in her haste – didn’t notice that one of the photographs had fallen out. And Felicity, walking down the same corridor a few minutes later, found it.
She picked it up, smiling at the happy faces that grinned up at her. Why, it was a photograph of the first-form picnic! Then, quite suddenly, Felicity’s smile vanished, replaced by a grim expression. For there, in the centre of the photo, looking as if she was having a marvellous time, was Daffy Hope!
So, Daffy had disobeyed her, and gone to the picnic after all! Well, she would be punished for it, that much was certain.
&nb
sp; Susan was in her study as Felicity walked by, a stern look on her face, and she called out to her friend.
‘Whatever has happened?’ she asked. ‘You’ve got a face like thunder!’
Felicity dropped the photograph on Susan’s desk, saying, ‘Just take a look at that!’
Susan studied the photograph, then looked up at Felicity, a puzzled frown on her face.
‘It’s the kids at their picnic,’ she said. ‘But I don’t see what there is in that to put you in a temper.’
‘Look again,’ said Felicity. ‘And you will see that there is someone there who shouldn’t be.’
Susan did look again, and gave a gasp. ‘Daffy! The sly, deceitful little beast! I must say, she is as different from her sister Sally as can be!’
‘Yes, Sally is absolutely straight and honest,’ said Felicity. ‘And Daffy isn’t. It’s one thing to be naughty and mischievous, but outright deceit and disobedience is something I will not tolerate.’
‘I should jolly well think not!’ said Susan indignantly. ‘What a shame that you should have to deal with it now, though, right in the middle of exams.’
‘Well, I’m not going to deal with it now,’ said Felicity. ‘I shall send for Daffy, and tell her that I know what she has done, but I won’t punish her until after the exams are over. Then I shall have leisure to come up with a really fitting punishment!’
‘And Daffy will have a week or so in which to ponder her fate, and think about what is going to happen to her,’ said Susan, with a grim smile. ‘That is quite a punishment in itself.’
‘Well, it’s no more than she deserves!’ said Felicity crossly, going across to the door.
‘Hi, Eileen!’ she called out, to a passing second former. ‘Run along to the first-form class-room, would you, and tell Daffy Hope to come to my study at once.’
‘Yes, Felicity,’ said the second former obediently, and ran off.
Daffy was surprised, but not alarmed, when Felicity’s message was delivered, for it did not occur to her for a second that she could be in trouble. It didn’t do to keep the Head Girl waiting, so Daffy obeyed the summons at once.
She was rather surprised by Felicity’s stern expression, then she remembered that the sixth formers were taking Higher Cert at the moment, and all of them were feeling the strain.
‘Hallo, Felicity,’ she said brightly. ‘Eileen said that you wanted me.’
‘I do,’ said Felicity, getting straight to the point. ‘Daffy, it has come to my notice that you attended the first-form picnic, after I expressly forbade you to do so. What do you have to say?’
For a moment, Daffy was unable to say anything at all, for she was quite lost for words!
The girl could only stare at Felicity in horror as she wondered how on earth the Head Girl had found her out.
At last, she said, ‘Yes, I did go to the picnic, Felicity. I’m sorry that I disobeyed you.’
‘Are you?’ said Felicity. ‘Or are you sorry that you have been caught out?’
‘Both,’ said Daffy truthfully. She had enjoyed every moment of the picnic, but now that she was about to get some perfectly horrid punishment, she wondered if it had been worth it!
Daffy felt very uncomfortable as Felicity stared hard at her, and wished that the Head Girl would just get it over with and reveal what her punishment was to be.
She was quite astonished, therefore, when Felicity said, ‘Very well, you may go now.’
‘But – but aren’t you going to punish me?’ stammered Daffy.
‘Oh, yes,’ said Felicity coolly. ‘But not today. Please come and see me at the same time next Saturday, when I shall have decided what to do with you.’
Daffy’s heart sank. She might have known that she wouldn’t get off that lightly! The girl walked towards the door, then a thought occurred to her, and she turned, saying, ‘Felicity! How did you find out that I had disobeyed you?’
‘That is none of your business, Daffy,’ said Felicity. ‘But I hope it will be a lesson to you that lies and deceit are usually found out eventually.’
Daffy was thoughtful as she made her way back to the common-room. Who had known that she had been ordered not to go on the picnic? Katie, of course, but Katie was her best friend and would never sneak on her. Who else could it be? Of course! Faith had known, for she had spoken to Daffy about it just before the picnic, and been most disapproving. The girl had sworn that she wouldn’t sneak, but she must have, for how else could Felicity have found out?
Everyone but Violet was in the common-room when Daffy entered, a scowl on her face as she slammed the door behind her.
‘What’s up?’ asked Katie, looking alarmed. ‘Don’t say that Felicity gave you a scold.’
‘It’s worse than that,’ said Daffy, flinging herself down into an armchair. ‘I’m to be punished, because someone has split on me.’
At once the first formers crowded round Daffy.
‘Split on you? Why, what have you done?’
‘Did Felicity find out about that trick you were going to play on Mr Young?’
‘Don’t say that someone told her you sneaked into the second form’s dormitory the other night!’
‘No,’ said Daffy. ‘She found out that I disobeyed her by going to the picnic, after she had forbidden me to.’
A gasp went up for, of course, most of the first formers didn’t know that Daffy had been banned from joining the picnic.
‘Well, I have to admire your nerve,’ said Ivy, after the whole story had been told. ‘No wonder Felicity was furious!’
‘But who could have split on you?’ said Katie, who had been puzzling over this. ‘I was the only person who was in on the secret, and you surely can’t think it was me!’
‘I know that it wasn’t you, Katie,’ said Daffy. ‘But someone else did know, and that person must have told Felicity.’
The first formers followed the direction of Daffy’s hard stare, and they realised that she was looking at Faith.
‘Faith, is this true?’ said Jenny, looking shocked. ‘Did you sneak to Felicity?’
‘Of course she did,’ said Daffy scornfully. ‘Faith didn’t approve of me disobeying our Head Girl at all, did you, Faith?’
‘No, I didn’t,’ answered Faith, stung by Daffy’s unjust accusation. ‘As a matter of fact, I don’t approve of a lot of things that you do, Daffy. But that doesn’t mean that I would sneak on you.’
Into this tense atmosphere walked Violet, and she realised at once that something was wrong.
‘Did you know that your friend was a cowardly little sneak, Violet?’ asked Katie.
‘What on earth are you talking about?’ asked Violet, quite astonished.
‘Faith knew that Felicity had said I wasn’t to go on the first-form picnic,’ said Daffy. ‘And Felicity has found out that I disobeyed her, so Faith must have split on me.’
Violet listened to this with mixed feelings. She was delighted that Daffy was in trouble with Felicity. But she felt sorry for Faith, and as she knew that her friend had strong feelings about sneaks, she felt quite certain that she wasn’t the culprit.
Of course, she, Violet, had also known about Felicity’s punishment, but she couldn’t very well say so, or the others might suspect her of being the sneak!
But, to her credit, she spoke up for Faith, saying scornfully, ‘What nonsense! As if Faith would think of doing such a thing!’
‘Well, you would stick up for her,’ said Jenny. ‘The two of you have been as thick as thieves lately.’
‘I vote we send her to Coventry!’ shouted Katie.
Some of the others murmured agreement, and poor Faith looked ready to faint.
‘I shall do nothing of the sort,’ said Violet, going across to Faith and taking her arm.
‘Then you will be sent to Coventry, too,’ said Daffy, in a hard voice.
‘That isn’t for you to decide, Daffy Hope!’ said Violet. ‘The others will decide whether they want to send Faith and me to Coventry. But anyone wh
o does won’t be allowed to help look after Willow, or play with her.’
This, however, was a mistake. The first formers didn’t care for Violet’s ultimatum, much as they loved Willow. And Daffy was still unofficial leader of the first form, and a very strong character. So when Katie cried, ‘Very well, let’s have a show of hands! All those in favour of sending Faith – and Violet – to Coventry, please put your hands up now,’ every hand went up.
‘Well,’ said Daffy with satisfaction. ‘That’s that. Come on, girls, who’s for a game of something before tea?’
13
Daffy is punished
At last exams were over, and the relief among the sixth formers was almost tangible.
‘I feel like doing something completely mad!’ said June at breakfast one morning. ‘Like diving fully clothed from the topmost diving board, or running down the corridor yelling at the top of my voice.’
‘Go on, then!’ said Freddie promptly. ‘I dare you!’
A few years ago, June would have taken Freddie up on this instantly. Now, though, she gave a regretful sigh, and said, ‘If only I could! But Miss Grayling would probably expel me for setting a bad example to the kids.’
‘Talking of kids,’ said Susan to Felicity in a low voice, ‘have you decided how you are going to punish Daffy Hope yet?’
‘No,’ said Felicity. ‘I’ve scarcely had time to think about it. But she is coming to see me this afternoon, so I had better put my thinking cap on.’
‘There seems to be some sort of rift within the first form,’ said Susan. ‘Just look at them now.’
Felicity glanced over at the first-form table, and noticed that Faith and Violet seemed to be seated a little apart from the others. And, although Violet kept up a determinedly bright flow of conversation, Faith looked the picture of misery. What on earth was going on there? Felicity wondered.
She found out later on that day, when she spotted Faith walking down the corridor near the sixth-form studies, a defeated slump to her shoulders and a rather woebegone expression on her face.