New Home for the Chalet School

[Vintagejazz]

Welome everyone. Dormy lists on the board as usual and I know you are all hoping like mad that you are all not in the same dormitory as Mary Lou. But only some of you can be the un lucky ones and the rest of us will have to make do with each other.

Oh, and the good news is that Joey has sabotaged discovered something wrong with the roof on her house and believe it or not, the only property available to rent is right next door to the school.

Shit Hurrah, lucky us.

Got to go. Matey wants me for unpacking.

Ah, maybe I'm getting the Maynards mixed up with Russells. Of course I am - Andre was Jem's manservant. Thanks hels

Mind you, I read an entire book on Saturday and had forgotten ever reading it by Wednesday, so maybe I should just bow out now..

Does the passing of real time have anything to do with Peggy, Rix and Bride being left with Madge so young, but not the second twins? I always vaguely assumed that when the early books were written it was the thing to decant children back to Europe as soon as possible, but that times had changed by the time EBD was writing about second twins.

Gawd, I'm reading Hilda Annersley Headmistress at the moment. I'm enjoying the plot lines, and it's very interesting seeing how someone else would backfill that particular era - much more the Hilda fan club than I would be, but interesting nonetheless. However, she really, really needed someone to do a basic grammatical edit for her. The sentence construction is absolutely dire, and I know I shouldn't let it bother me but it does. It's such a pity - I think I'd enjoy the story itself were it not for the constant distraction of bad English. Oh, and of course I'd like her to have included a welterweight-load bit more of Bill, but hey, you can't have everything you want.

Yes mornington that's exactly what I thought. Real pity as I do like the story - I'm v aware it's not something EBD would have written (not so much the case with some of the GGBP fill-ins) but as an extended piece of fanfic it's really quite strong in many ways - but really, really needs a hard edit.

Have you read A Chalet School Headmistress? It's the GGB fill-in from much the same time, but from the school perspective (the headmistress in question is Bill, but I think from reviews it's not quite as Bill-heavy as I'd personally want it). I'd like to read it but it's out of print atm and the only copies I've seen are going for silly money.

Sign I wondered about when Dick and Molly returned to England as well. A big deal was made of it in Tom Tackles the Chalet School but then, in Three Goes, which was set a couple of years later, Peggy and Bride still seem to be living with Madge.

I found a complete set of Malory Towers books in my local charity shop for 3 euoro (about 2.50) and have spent the last couple of evenings re-reading them. It was amusing to note the differences and similarities to the Chalet School:

Brown and orange (flame) uniform: tick
Doctor in the family: tick
Someone falling over a cliff: tick
Wise and insightful headmistress: tick

However, the ganging up, jeering, and half drowning people in the swimming pool would not have been tolerated at the CS. Neither would the emphasis on best friends with a third person being seen as an annoying hanger on.

Teachers were just there to facilitate storylines and were rarely seen as people in their own right. We weren't privy to their private conversations and never heard of any of them getting engaged or leaving the school to get married. Parents just dropped the kids to school, visited them at half term, and collected them for the holidays but otherwise kept well out of school business. And when girls left the school they moved on with their lives. Their were no old pupils hanging around, or returning to teach or sending hordes of kids to the school as second generation pupils.

The CS series definitely had more depth and complexity, but some parts of Malory Towers are definitely more true to life. (Although nowadays the stealing compulsive liar Daphne would definitely be referred to therapists, counsellors and pastoral care teams instead of being cured by rescuing Mary Lou from a cliff and receiving a kind but firm talking to from the Head).

I'm sure I saw on mn last night someone complaining that some company or other had stopped making a particular pram in lime green. And on another thread someone's ds had chosen to paint his room in lime green (with blue high lights). It appears Joey is trying to take over....

The godmother thing really doesn't make sense, I don't think she even uses them for later children.
Bill I can understand, but the others she isn't particularly close to. The only thing (other than the reasons given) is that I think they're older and (at the time) single. Whereas Marie is married, and isn't Simone engaged? So maybe the thought was that you chose people who weren't likely to have their own dc so they'd be more attached and leave them their inheritance too like, was it, Bernhilda?.
My godparents are my parents siblings, plus an unmarried friend-although at the time she might well have married later, so I don't know whether there was a thought at the time that you should choose someone without a family.
And actually it comes back on Joey, because although Bill stays around, you never see her having any sort of relationship outside the norm with her goddaughter, I think the other two pretty much loose touch. No wonder Margot's devil gets the upper hand!
Wouldn't Robin have been another possibility for godmother too? I don't think she's asked for any either.

But also certainly for my generation, I think it would have been traditional to have 2 godmothers and one godfather. So she could have had Joey's friends plus the ones she gave. Although judging by how she treated Simone, I could see her asking the other two and not Simone too.

I quite like Rosalie. It's not the usual Chalet School book. But I think Rosalie is very well drawn. You see her over protective mother producing this nervous girl. You can see why she clings to Tom as someone who will continue to look after her, and you can also see why Tom is disgusted and irritated by her, but too nice to totally blow her off.
I also like in a later book Rosalie is shown to be trying to write a book, which Tom says is quite good. It's nice to see a character that isn't dominant throughout going for a career that EBD obviously approves of. I like to imagine she hit it big time and overtook Joey's reputation.

Just imagine:
"You mean, Miss Maynard, that Rosalie Way actually went here? That's why I wanted to come here so much. I love her books."
"Have you read any by Josephine M Bettany? She is..."
"I tried one, but I didn't really like it. They're a bit boring. But just think: I might sit at the same desk Rosalie sat at!"
"Josephine M Bettany lives just over there. She'll invite you to tea."
"Oh! I don't think I'd really want to go. I think she's terribly old fashioned isn't she? Does Rosalie Way ever come back to the Chalet School? Could I meet her?"
Len

Rosalie is one of those characters where I wonder if she might be strongly based on a real person. I agree, she's well-drawn, and she's not idealised or exaggerated the way certain others are.

Robin is Cecil's godmother, isn't she? Or is Cecil only named after her and I'm confused because of Len and Con being named for their godmothers? I'm not sure the singleness explains anything - I know Exile suddenly jumps a year at some point so I'm a bit hazy, but Con Stewart is definitely engaged during the time that the school is closed (she mentions her fiancé in her letter to Jo, in a v casual way which suggests he is not news any more). I forget exactly when Grace Nalder gets married but it's around the same time, isn't it.

I have a feeling that the triplets' godfathers are various husbands of Old Girls - Gottfried and maybe Bruno? - but it is possible I read this in a fanfic rather than canon.

I can see EBD/Joey going for a 'theme' with the godmothers - either the three Catholic teachers or the three Catholic quartette members - but even allowing for this, I don't see the plus points of Bill (and it really is only Bill I can see the rationale for - though the other two seem unreasonably fond of Jo in Camp ) outweighing those of Jo's school friends. So for me, we're back to (a) off-screen developments and/or (b) inadvisability of Austrian godmothers in 1939 and/or (c) potential contemporary trends for older godmothers. Although I don't think Grace Nalder can be more than 5 or so years older than Jo, really.

I remember reading MT as a child. No real urge to reread it now but maybe I will at some point. Will probably explore EJO before that though.

Yes, I've just looked it up (hurrah for e-copies with search functions!): Con Stewart's letter mentioning her fiancé comes a good thirty pages ahead of the triplets' baptism. And the godfathers are Gottfried, Eugen von und zu Wertheimer, and Herr Anserl.

There is no rhyme or reason! Rob deputises for Grace Nalder on the day so it's not even a simple matter of availability.

Okay, I was thinking Con's engagement came just before they leave Guernsey, but maybe that's when he returns? I don't remember any mentions of godfathers, maybe that's the Armada versions.

But if the reasoning is for non-Austrian godmothers-then look at the godfathers! Actually looking at the godfathers, it seems even more of a slight that she didn't pick her friends for godmothers.

Is Robin Cecil's godmother? I did wonder about that, but by that time she's locked up in her nunnery never to return, so it would be an odd choice at that point.

I suppose when she had the triplets, was Marie in America? Maybe she thought they would never see her again. And maybe she felt it was worse to use two, and the third have a totally different one.
It might have been nice if we'd seen a special relationship due to the godmother status with the teachers. But from what we have I can't see any particular reason for picking them at all.

But isn't Marie married to Eugen, or am I muddling my Tyroleans? You're right, the nationality/war thing makes no sense with those godfathers.

All odd.

Marie von Eschenau married Eugen von und zu thingy. Marie Pfeiffen, housekeeper of the Russells, married Andre thingy, Dr Jem's driver.

Actually I think you're right, I was thinking it was the other Eugan. She is. How strange.

And coincidentally (I was actually looking for something else), I've just read in Reunion that Rob is Cecil's godmother.

What I was looking for, and couldn't find, was any indication that Jo had at least invited Madge, even if it was such a long and expensive journey there's no way Madge could have made it. Found nothing. Who is Reunion aimed at - is it really for the 10yo girl, or is it an anniversary gift for the readers who had already grown up? I didn't read it as a child, can't imagine I'd have liked it, though I'm mildly fond of it now.

Still thinking this through. I'm not from a religious background and don't have any experience of godparents, but I think it would be tricky to balance having much of a 'godmother' relationship with someone you taught. I realise this isn't supposed to pose a problem in second-gen Chalet School with brevet aunts galore and Maynard/Bettany/Russell children monopolising the position of head girl, but...

I remember dd1's godmother saying that she'd looked at the post and decided it was about the "Three Ps":
Post
Prayer
Presents

Obviously the prayer would be private. Bill wouldn't have been doing post for Len most of the time-although it might have been nice if the others had been seen to get some, but couldn't they have had a little "oh my special present from my godmother" type thing. It's totally forgotten about after the original event, which actually is quite dismissive of it as a position, and slightly strange considering EBD's emphasis on religion.

I've not read reunion, but I can't think Madge wouldn't have come, barring huge emergencies. I wouldn't have thought the invite would come from Joey though, surely it would be Miss A's job as head to invite her as the honoured guest?
If she really didn't want Madge there she should have started the reunion with a letter from Madge with some good reason why she ccouldn't come.
If you think she travels back from Canada when Mollie's having her operation, and she wouldn't have had long to plan that. With 6 months notice, which she must have had, I'm sure she would have come.

Maybe Joey told her the wrong week:

"Madge!" Miss Annersley looked up in surprise. "How lovely to see you!"
Madge came in and sat down thankfully.
"You look surprised to see me," she smiled happily. "You couldn't imagine I'd stay away at such a time."
Miss Annersley's question was drowned by the flinging open of the door.
"Hilda!" Joey rushed in. "Have you...?"
Her voice tailed off slightly as Madge rose to greet her.
"Joey!" Madge looked fondly at the slight figure in front of her. "You're looking well, how is everyone?"
"Fine," said Joey, looking towards the window. "We're all fine. But I came to ask Hilda if I can take the triplets out of school this week. Felicity isn't well again, and I'm meant to be finishing my proofs for my new book. I couldn't get on with it last week."
Her black eyes twinkled at Miss A.
"Aren't we all going to be busy this week?" Madame asked, a little puzzled. "When is everyone arriving?"
There was a long pause, during which Joey suddenly became interested in something out in the garden.
"The reunion? Or anniversary?"
"That was last week," Miss A said slowly, wondering if Madge's memory was going.
Madges face dropped. "But you said, the 5th?"
"I didn't," Joey said quickly. "I definitely didn't. Why would I?"
Madge fumbled into her bag.
"I have the letter here."
Joey glanced at her watch.
"I really must go. I can take the triplets, Hilda, can't I? Catch up with..."
Hilda glanced at the letter, and looked back at Joey, who was flushed and edging towards the door.
"Jo," she said gently, "you have given the wrong date."
"You know how disorganised I am, I'm just so busy I really can't remember everything... I never could remember dates and things."
She exitted quickly, leaving Madge and Miss Annersley staring at each other.
"Oh dear! She is such an excitable creature, I suppose I better call Jack to calm her down," said Miss Annersley.
"Yes," sighed Madge. "That's why she can write so well. What a pity, but a genuine accident I'm sure!"

Oh that's made me feel so sad. :(

I can't really work out how 'official' it is. I've only run a search and skimmed the first chapter (though have read previously) and it seems to be more something Jo's scrambled together because Grizel has come back from NZ, having a breakdown. She produces Mollie Maynard as her star guest, and also Corney and Evvy etc, but it's not clear (as far as I've checked) if she's invited other people who couldn't come, or has just selected randomly as past names popped into her head. There is a list of people who can't come because they're pregnant or have too recently had a child, but I don't think Madge is excused in this way. (Actually I think Madge's childbearing years may well be past her by this point, but in a world where pregnancy is both euphemistic and miraculous I'm making no firm bets!)

I'm now foolishly reading right through Reunion. Why has Hilda Annersley gone to England (Wales?) to deal with Mary Lou's mother's death? It's very nice that ML doesn't have to do it alone but isn't it a bit odd and excessive? Mollie Bettany also seems to have taken it on.

Also Jeanne de Lachenais has declined to attend part of the party because she's washing her stockings, and Nell Wilson does likewise because the weather's rubbish. I don't think Madge is really missing much after all.

But why isn't Madge there! It's insane how she's not even mentioned by anyone. It doesn't make sense!

And I hope Anna gets more money doing all that extra cooking and cleaning!

There's a bit where poor Sophy Hamel knocks over the breakfast table and makes an enormous mess, and Joey is v nice at minimising it all to make Sophy feel better, but then tells Anna to stop looking so horrified. (She does also promise to poach a school maid to help clean it up, but I can't help feeling sorry for Anna as well as Sophy...)

The Godmother choices and naming one of her children after Con Stewart doesn't make any sense to me. Bill yes, because they had so recently escaped from the nazis and she had played a very brave and heroic role in helping to save the lives of both Joey and Robin. But Con Stewart and Grace Nalder seem like very random choices. I don't think Grace Nalder is even mentioned in any of the later books once she leaves the school, and Con only in relation to Emerence. I doubt it was down to age as it was quite common for older children to stand as Godparents for younger siblings in Catholic families from the age of 9 or 10, when they had made their confirmation. I am Godmother to a cousin who is only 12 years younger than me, my father was his little sister's Godfather and my cousin was Godfather to her younger brother when she was about 10 years old. Robin would have been an obvious choice for Godmother.

No no no! Grace returns under the guise of "Phyll" Nalder in Oberland. She later becomes Grace Nalder properly. Disappearance of husband not explained.

Also, what is up with Sophie Hamel becoming Sophy all of a sudden? Mind you I got bored of the usual spelling of my very top 10 since about the year 1900 name a while ago, and changed it, but it was the other way round, y to ie

I'm sure I read/ heard something somewhere that traditionally the godparents become the legal guardians if something happened to the parents. Under that definition the choices become even more illogical.

Maybe having it as a more spontanious event makes much more sense. For a start off it always seemed strange to have another big get together so soon after they'd done that for coming of age.
Then ones like Corney and Evvy, with their millionaire dads, probably could afford to drop everything and fly out there. Wheras the more ordinary people probably would find it harder to drop everything and wouldn't have the money to get out thre quickly.

I think if I was having to spend a long time with Joey, and then a long walk up a mountain was suggested then I might have to wash my stockings (or hair/shoes/anything) rather than go out too.
Let me guess (haven't never read it) most of the guests puff and pant their way up the hill, but Joey is as fresh as a school girl, and is nasty teases the others about their lack of fitness?
Am I right?

I think I may need to start a complete re-read as soon as i have finished my Marlows re-read....