Fairies and Felicitations (Scholars and Sorcery) by Eleanor Beresford Page B

of the Bings. We, my dearest Charles, are at last going up in the world.”
    I’m a little confused. I suppose she means the new girl is from one of the old elfin families, but so are quite a few of the girls here, although we’re hardly one of the more expensive or exclusive schools. That girl with the spectacles and plaits, for instance, had the look about her, pointy ears and all. A few of my father’s friends sport titles, sharp ears and odd shades of hair; magical steeds are popular among the upper classes, who usually have the magical ability to control them. Some of Father’s cronies are quite decent sorts, knowing their beastflesh, and others aren’t worth the time of day if you ask me, but I don’t remember anyone expecting me to be particularly impressed by their families.  
    “I wonder why she’s come here,” Cecily says, thoughtfully. “Fernleigh isn’t really the kind of school to attract the rich and fashionable, especially not in our final year.”
    “There’s Kitty in the Fifth, on the Second tennis team. I think she’s actually Lady Emmeline something,” I offer. “Pointed ears like a cat.”
    “Kitty’s a holy terror, that’s what she is,” says Cecily, with the deep emotion of a prefect and Games Captain.
    Ethel shrugs slim shoulders. “Kitty’s only here because Miss Carroll is tolerant about waiting terms for her fees to be paid if they come with a nice present to the school when the gee-gees are doing what they’re supposed to. Her father’s pretty much a professional gambler, for all he’s a Marquis. I don’t say Miss Carroll’s wrong at that. She probably comes out of it better overall. But a more exclusive school might expect more regular arrangements. As for Diana. . . I have no idea. Perhaps Miss Carroll is trying to attract a better class of girl than the rough hoi-polloi like Charley and myself and wild Colonial roses like you, Cissy.”
    “Does it really matter so much what family she comes from?” I ask.
    “Apparently very much so,” mutters Cecily. Her usually sunny face is drawn in a scowl.She catches my eye and visibly tries to relax and smile.
    “You have no idea how much it matters, darling.” Esther’s smile is as smooth as silk. “No idea at all. But I’m sure Diana will let you know. She’s utterly enchanting, I promise you.” There’s an odd emphasis on the word.
    I shrug, not sure what to say. It’s all beyond me. Truthfully, it’s starting to bore me. If the new girl tries on any snobbish airs and graces, she’ll be sat on until she’s squashed into place, and either way, it’s not really my concern. I leave all the squashing to the girls who care.
    When we reach the San., I realise yet again how well trained the babes are to defer to the older girls. The queue to see Matron melts away on our arrival, and we three give her our certificates without any waiting. I don’t quite like it, to be honest. I frankly detested being expected to give way to the older girls when I was younger, and I don’t quite see why we should be treated as grand personages now, when we only have a few years on even the littlest first former. It makes me feel ridiculously self-conscious.
    Matron nods at us. “Back again! Ready to work hard, girls?”  
    Cecily and Esther nod, quite gravely. They will be going in for difficult exams this year, hoping to enter university. Me, I just grin. I mean to take it easy this year. Matron twinkles at me, as if she’s reading my thoughts.
    “You’re to make good use of your studies, you know. To learn something, not to give parties. I’m sure you’re anxious to know who you’ll be sharing with.” She checks a list. “Now then… There we are. Cecily, dear, you’re with Gladys White.”
    “Gladys?” Cecily says, disbelievingly, and then catches herself at Matron’s disapproving sniff. “Oh, I’m sorry, Matron. I just assumed that Gladys would be sharing with Frances. Aren’t cousins usually put together?”