The Chalet School and Jo
Synopsis
"What is the matter?" asked the Robin with interest.
"Everything!" was the curt reply.
Jo Bettany is not looking forward to the new term at the Chalet School. Her carefree days are over; she is to be head-girl and feels that all her fun will be spoilt. Wise words from the first head-girl, Gisela Marani, now Gisela Mensch, go part way to reconciling her to her fate, however, and she comes down to the Tiernsee from the Sonnalpe determined to do her best.
And it looks like being a thrilling term; boating, Guide work, camping and, even better, a half-term trip to Oberammergau to see the Passion Play of which they have all heard so much.
But Joey's first weeks in the post are overshadowed with worry about the Robin. Always frail, the little girl is now showing signs which may be symptoms pf the dread disease which carried off her mother.
Juliet Carrick, nearing the end of her course at Holloway and looking forward to taking over the new Chalet School venture on the Sonnalpe, joins the school for half-term, a decision which has far-reaching consequences for her future consequences when Joey intervenes to reverse a romantic tragedy.
Evvy, Elsie, Corney, Maria and Ilonka contrive to give the quiet village of Oberammergau something to talk about, but the Passion Play is a complete success with the girls.
The sobering influence of the play does not last, however, and before long the five sinners, with the addition of Margia's leadership, throw themselves into a situation which changes the whole life of one small girl.
The tem has a happy ending for all, and it is an older and wiser Jo who returns to Die Rosen for the holidays. There is no doubt that her head-girlship is a success.
She (Stacie) flushed a little, but she answered "All the girls look up to you, and follow you. You can do a tremendous lot with them if you like, because you are head-girl, as well as because they like you so much. It's a tremendous thing, really."
contributed by Nicky Wade, England __ working from a hardback edition
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