The Daring Game Read Free Page B

blanketed in ivy, made it a hidden retreat from the busy streets outside.
    â€œLook at all the trees!” Eliza ran across the lawn away from the Old Residence. They had made a circular tour ofthe low school building, the white gym with its four pillars and the sleek New Residence. The latter they had tiptoed by, their ears wide open to the buzz of the seniors drifting through its open windows.
    Eliza scrambled easily up the broad red branches of an arbutus, wondering if Carrie would think she was too old to climb trees. But the other girl just watched her calmly. “Let’s go down to the field,” she said at last. They slithered along a muddy path through the woods to a level expanse of grass which was too soggy to walk on.
    â€œThis must be where they play games,” said Carrie. “It said in the brochure there’s a lot of emphasis on sports. I’m not very athletic—are you?”
    Eliza shook her head as she stared at the field. She was too tall and awkward to be good at games; she always tripped over her own feet. It was hard to imagine this broad, quiet space milling with students. There already seemed to be an enormous number of boarders, but tomorrow they would encounter all the day-girls as well. She glanced at Carrie. At least one of the many faces was becoming familiar. And a good thing about her cheerful companion was that she talked so much; all Eliza had to do was reply.
    â€œWhat do you think of Helen?” Carrie asked her.
    â€œUhhh … I don’t know yet.” Helen was one of the many people Eliza was saving up to contemplate in bed.
    â€œ I think she’s weird. I hate the way she stares. And last night she strung up my hippo from the light with her shoe-lace. Pam’s stuck-up, and Jean’s really shy. She goesinto the bathroom to get undressed. I’m so glad you’re here, Eliza,” said Carrie for the second time that day. “I just know we’re going to be good friends.”
    This was embarrassing. Eliza had always heard, however, that Americans were very friendly, and she glowed inside at Carrie’s words. Still, she didn’t know what to say in answer. She tapped the other girl on the shoulder. “Race you back!” she called.
    B Y EIGHT O ’ CLOCK on Sunday evening Eliza felt that she’d always been at Ashdown, and that nothing in her former world existed. She sat with Carrie and Jean on Carrie’s bed, as they stitched the school crest onto their berets and blazers. Helen and Pam were watching TV downstairs. Eliza studied the crest as she sewed—a single bluebell against a pale blue background, with the school motto curling around it.
    She felt more confident with just the other two new girls in the dorm, even though she had barely spoken a word to Jean. Pam had enlisted the quiet girl all afternoon to help sort out her many clothes because Miss Bixley was letting her keep only a small number of them upstairs.
    â€œDo you like that book?” Eliza asked, pointing to the one on Jean’s bed.
    Jean’s narrow face grew animated. “Oh, yes—I love animal stories.”
    â€œI like the bull terrier in it the best,” said Eliza.
    â€œHave you—I mean—is that a picture of your dog on your dresser?”
    â€œShe belongs to my whole family.” Eliza told Jean how Jessie had travelled from Edmonton to Toronto in a crate. Then she was silent while she wondered if Jessie had recovered from the experience. Carrie told them about her family’s four cats.
    â€œI’m not allowed to have an animal,” said Jean in a small voice. “My mother thinks they’re dirty.”
    â€œWell, none of us can have pets here ,” said Carrie kindly. “So we’re all the same as you.”
    They heard Helen and Pam stomping down the hall, and glanced at one another reassuringly. Then it was Lights Out. “And not a sound,” said Miss Bixley. “Sleep