Miss Annersley, Head of the Chalet School, looked up from the letter she was writing. Her eyes grew bright and the colour came into her cheeks as she held out her hand for the sheet of paper. ‘From Canada, Rosalie?’
Rosalie Dene, her secretary and an ex-pupil of the Chalet School, shook her head. ‘No; from Australia. I thought Canada when Exchange said, “A cable for the Chalet School.” But no luck!’
‘Oh, dear!’ Miss Annersley took the paper which Rosalie held and glanced over it. ‘Good Heavens! Are we in touch with a millionaire, by any chance?’
She might well ask. The paper was half-full and, considering the cost of cables, most people are sparing with their words when they use the service.
The Head sat back in her chair and read, half to herself:
‘Am sending daughter Emerence to you for next four years Stop Emerence thirteen years and eleven months needs discipline and has no manners Stop Please correct faults and help Stop Send all accounts to Victoria Wool Growers Modern Assurance Company Ltd. Elm St. London S.W.7 Stop References from Mrs John Mackenzie of Manly Sydney known to you Stop Emerence leaving on next plane for England Stop Completely in your hands Stop From Hope High Leaps Manly nr Sydney N.S.W.’