Third Year at Malory Towers Read Free

round? Then she saw that Darrell was with her. Darrell would soon push her off if she went up, she knew.
    Zerelda stood looking round at all the bustle and excitement. She was dressed in the same brown coat, brown stocking and shoes as the others, and yet she managed to look quite different. She didn't seem to notice the curious glances thrown at her.
    Darrell, seeing her father and mother about to go, rushed over to them to say good-bye.
    “It's so nice to see you plunging into everything so happily as soon as you're back,” said her mother, pleased to see how gladly everyone greeted Darrell. “You are no longer one of the smaller ones, Darrell—you seem quite big compared to the first-and second-formers now!”
    “I should think so! Babies!” said Darrell, with a laugh. “Good-bye, darlings. I'll write on Sunday as usual. Give Felicity my love and tell her Malory Towers is as nice as ever.”
    The car moved off down the drive. Darrell waved till it was gone. Then she felt a punch on the back and turned to see Irene there. “Darrell! Come along to Matron with me. I can't find my health certificate.”
    “Irene! I don't believe you;” said Darrell. “Yes, I'll come. Where's my night-case? Oh, there it is. Hey, Gwendoline, look out with that lacrosse stick of yours. That's twice you've tripped me up.”
    Darrell suddenly remembered Zerelda. “Oh golly! I've forgotten Zerelda. She's going to be in North tower too. I'd better get her or she'll be feeling absolutely lost. I know how I felt when I came here first—everyone laughing and ragging and talking and I didn't know a soul!”
    She set off towards Zerelda. But Zerelda did not look at all lost or bewildered. She looked thoroughly at home, with a tiny smile on her red mouth as if she was really rather amused by everything going on around her.
    Before Darrell could reach her someone else spoke to Zerelda.
    “Are you a new girl? I believe you are in North Tower. If you'd like to come with me I'll show you round a bit.”
    “Gee, that's kind of you,” said Zerelda, in her slow drawl.
    “Look,” said Darrell, in disgust. “There's Gwendoline Mary all over her already! Trust her\ She just adores anyone like Zerelda. Zerelda, come with us. We'll take you to Matron.”
    “I'll look after her, Darrell,” said Gwendoline, turning her large pale-blue eyes on Darrell. “You go and look for Sally.”
    “Sally's not coming back yet,” said Darrell, “she's in quarantine. I'll look after Zerelda. She came down with us.”
    “You can both take me around,” said Zerelda, charmingly, and smiled her slow smile at Gwendoline. Gwen slipped her arm through Zerelda's and took her up the steps into the hall.
    Alicia grinned. “Let's hope dear Gwen will take her off our hands for good,” she said. “But I suppose she'll be in a much higher form. She looks about eighteen!”
    The groans of Irene attracted their attention. “Oh, Irene! I simply don't believe you've lost your health certificate again,” said Darrell. “Nobody could possible lose it term after term as you do.”
    “Well, I have,” said Irene. “Do come to Matron now and stand by me.”
    So they all went to find Matron. Darrell and Alicia gave up their health certificates. Matron looked at Irene.
    I've lost it, Matron,” said Irene. “The worst of it is I don't even remember having it today! I mean, I usually remember Mother giving it to me, anyhow—but I don't even remember that this time. My memory's getting worse than ever.”
    “Your mother came to see me not ten minutes ago,” said Matron, “and she gave me your certificate herself. Go away, Irene, or you'll make me lose it too!”
    Gwendoline brought Zerelda to Matron. Matron stared as if she couldn't believe her eyes. “Who's this? Oh—Zerelda Brass. Yes, you're in North Tower. Is this your health certificate? She's in your dormy, Gwendoline. Take her there -and - er - get her ready to go down for a meal.”
    Darrell grinned at Alicia,