Follow a Stranger

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