Trouble at Skelton Hall
Synopsis:
The second term for Skelton Hall starts with 50 girls, 17 of which are new. We are introduced to the Quintet, 5 girls in Lower IV, Sally, Van, Harrie, Hilary and Lal. A new girl, Caeros, takes a shine to Sally, who helps her out, but is later jealous when Sally shows friendliness to other girls. New juniors from another school make life miserable for another Third Former, Lesley Selwyn. There is mention of a row which the Quintet were part of last term and talk of “Della” who is unable to walk.
Lesley disappears – she tried to run away as she was so unhappy. The Third form would not let her forget an instance when she sneaked last term and the girls were caught smoking. Lesley is found in the priest’s hole. A Mr Grey lives in the East Wing of the Hall, his grand-daughter Della was crippled in a riding accident three years ago. The quintet met her last term in mysterious circumstances.
The School decides to have a School magazine. The Prefects and Upper V entertain the school at an evening with games and supper. Caeros sees that Sally is very friendly with Della at this evening and tells the latter that she hates her. Sally overhears and tells Caeros that she will be friends with both of them.
Della catches German measles and Sally has to go into quarantine as she had had contact with her. Caeros believes one of the girls who says that you can go blind with German measles. In the middle of the night she goes to apologise to Sally for being such a pig. A fire starts in the East Wing, Sally and Caeros race over to warn the Greys and bump into them coming out the front door, Della walking. The fire is put out and Della explains to the girls that she suddenly started walking again recently. As she improves, she joins the school. Mr Grey offers to build a swimming bath as a thank you for the help given to Della by the school.
contributed by Jenni Ambridge, Melbourne - working from a photocopy of a 1954 (first edition) hardback.