human
Go it, Patricia! called Irene to the girl who was playing the accompaniment.
gpt
You did that no end! St. Elgiva's ought to have a chance for the sight-reading competition. Trot out that song to-morrow night by all means. It'll take the house by storm!
human
What's going to happen to-morrow night?
gpt
A very important event, my good child, vouchsafed Francie Sheppard--
human
The what?
gpt
I wish you wouldn't ask so many questions. I was just going to explain, if you'll give me time. The whole school meets in the Assembly Hall, and anybody who feels she can do anything may give us a specimen of her talents, and if she passes muster she's allowed to join one of the societies--the Dramatic, or the Part Singing, or the Orchestra, or the French Conversational; or she may exhibit specimens if she wants to enter the Natural History or Scientific, or show some of her drawings if she's artistic.
human
What are you going to do?
gpt
I? Nothing at all. I hate showing off!
human
I've no 'parlour tricks' either, yawned Laura.
gpt
I shall help to form the audience and do the clapping; that's the rôle I'm best at.
human
Old Mollie'll put you up to tips if you're yearning to go on the platform, suggested Elsie.
gpt
She's A 1 at recitations, reels them off no end, I can tell you. You needn't hang your head, Mollums, like a modest violet; it's a solid fact. You're the ornament of St. Elgiva's when it comes to saying pieces. Have you got anything fresh, by the way, for to-morrow night?
human
Well, I did learn something new during the holidays, confessed Mollie.
gpt
I hope you'll like it--it's rather funny. I hear there's to be a new society this term. Meg Hutchinson was telling me about it.
human
Oh, I know, the 'Charades'! interrupted Francie;
gpt
I don't understand,
human
Oh, bother you! You're always wanting explanations. Well, of course you know we have a Dramatic Society that gets up quite elaborate plays; the members spend ages practising their speeches and studying their attitudes before the looking-glass, and they have gorgeous costumes made for them, and scenery and all the rest of it--a really first-rate business. Some of the prefects thought that it was rather too formal an affair, and suggested another society for impromptu acting. Nothing is to be prepared beforehand. Mrs. Morrison is to give a word for a charade, and the members are allowed two minutes to talk it over, and must act it right away with any costumes they can fling on out of the 'property box'. They'll be arranged in teams, and may each have five minutes for a performance. I expect it will be a scream.
gpt
Are you fond of acting, Marjorie?
human
I just love it!
gpt
Then put down your name for the Charades Tournament. We haven't got a great number of volunteers from St. Elgiva's yet. Most of the girls seem to funk it. Elsie, aren't you going to try?
human
I'd like to, but I know every idea I have would desert me directly I faced an audience. I'm all right with a definite part that I've got into my head, but I can't make up as I go along, and it's no use asking me. I'd only bungle and stammer, and make an utter goose of myself, and spoil the whole thing. Hallo! There's the supper bell. Come along!