Follow a Stranger

Miss Carter smiled. “Pallas Athene, the Greek goddess of

wisdom, but I’m afraid the name does not fit this girl. She

has been expelled from three really excellent schools

already.”

“Goodness!” exclaimed Kate, in amazement.

“Quite. As you know, we don’t take problem children here

at Cheddall, so I hesitated. But her brother assures me that,

despite the evidence, she is a talented and clever girl, and he

convinced me that she deserves a final chance. After a long

discussion, I agreed, but on my own conditions.” She paused

again, frowning. “That’s where you come in, Kate.”

Kate nodded, “Yes?”

“I gathered that she is in rebellion against the discipline of

school. She wants to go to a college of music, where she feels

she’ll have more freedom.”

“She’s musical?” Kate said, seeing now how this affected

herself.

“Very, it appears. She both plays the violin and sings. But

her family want her to have a sound education before she

specialises. I sensed vague disapproval of a musical career,

but nothing was said on that subject.”

“If they’re rich, I wouldn’t have thought it would matter,”

said Kate.

“They probably fear she will make the wrong friends. I

suspect they give her very little freedom at home. A strict

background, strict schools—you can see the pattern.”

Kate grimaced. “Only too clearly. What do you want me to

do, Miss Carter?”

The Head smiled. “Make friends with her.”

“Of course,” Kate agreed. “But as I live out of school that