The Coming-of-Age of the Chalet School

“Oh, there you are, Mary-Lou! Had decent hols?”Mary-Lou Trelawney, standing near the big entrance door to the Chalet School and snuffing the fresh mountain air with keen enjoyment, turned with a start at the sound of a well-known voice, and her blue eyes lit up with a warm welcome. “Oh, Vi! And Barbara, too! What fun! But how on earth did you get here so early? Don’t say the coaches have arrived, for I shan’t believe you. They’re nowhere in sight.”“Keep cool—keep cool!” Vi returned, with a peal of laughter. “The coaches are not here, as you so sapiently remark. The fact of the matter is, Uncle Peter—Bab’s dad, you know—had to come out with a patient for the San, and he said we two might as well come with him. Betsy and Julie aren’t coming till Saturday. Mummy and Daddy are away for a few days, so someone had to stay to look after young Kitten. Glendower House doesn’t begin till next Tuesday, and you know what that kid is!”