pupil and teacher sighed with relief at the interruption. Kate
grinned as she followed the reluctant pianist out of the music
room. If only parents knew what resentments they bred in
their children when they forced them to take up music
against their inclination!
It was true, of course, that sometimes they developed an
interest at a later stage and were then grateful for their early
grounding. But, somehow, she did not think that this would
apply to the girl scuttling eagerly in front of her. Lucy
Salmon had fingers like sausages and was almost totally
tone-deaf. Her musical father was doomed to disappointment.
She paused at a pale primrose door and knocked softly.
“Come in,” Miss Carter commanded, and when Kate
entered, smiled at her across the pleasant, sunny room.
“Ah, my dear. I’m sorry to disturb you during a lesson, but
I’m leaving shortly to lunch with the Mayor, and I wanted to
discuss something with you. Sit down.”
The Headmistress of Cheddall Public School for Girls was
as pleasant as her room. Sensible, sandy-haired and blue-
eyed, she had an enviable calm which Kate had never seen
ruffled. Her appointment last year, at the early age of forty,
had surprised no one. She had been acting as deputy for the
previous five years with great success and was popular with
parents and girls alike.
Some of the staff had disapproved of the changes she had
made, others had heartily supported her. But there were few
people who disliked her.
Kate sat back, wondering what she had done wrong. A
summons to the Head was usually a sign of the wrath to
come, but she could not remember having fallen from grace