It was the beginning of a new term at the Chalet School, and all over the Chalet and its sister house, Le Petit Chalet, sounded a buzz of merry voices, a tapping of heels, and peals of gay laughter. Downstairs in the Staff Room, Mademoiselle Lepâttre, the Head of the School, was busy with such of her Staff as could be spared, discussing time-tables. Upstairs in the dormitories, Matron, with two mistresses, was overseeing the unpacking. In the Prefects’ Room, the head-girl and all the prefects were exchanging holiday experiences in between doing a little work. For many of the prefects were new, and Jo Bettany, the head-girl, was supposed to get duty lists and responsibilities all arranged before the next morning. The first day was always more or less a go-as-you-please day. After that, the Chaletians settled down to ordinary work and play.