Time for Silence by Philippa Carr

taught English and physical training, had said the winter would soon be upon us and we must make the most of the fine days, the “season of mists and fruitfulness.” She was always happy to bring literature and physical exercise together. “A healthy mind and a healthy body” was one of her favorite maxims.
    So we had sprinted through fields and thickets almost to the edge of the town of Mons, which we saw in the distance. It was invigorating, but we were all a little weary during conversazione; and as soon as we were in bed most of us were fast asleep.
    I had dozed and awoke. The others were all asleep. I could see them clearly because the moon shining through the window was so bright.
    I lay there for some time but sleep seemed elusive, and suddenly I thought I heard a sound below.
    I got out of bed and went to the window. The dormitories looked out from the back of the house onto the kitchen garden and the orchard. I started with amazement. There was someone down there. I saw her clearly, speeding from the orchard to the back door.
    It was Anna B. I would know her anywhere. Her black hair was loose and she was coming purposefully toward the house. I stood watching her…fascinated. She came to the side of the house, opened a window and climbed in.
    Where had she been? What had she been doing? It was strange but, in spite of her somewhat superior attitude toward me, I always felt a need to look after her. I had a feeling that she might get into serious trouble.
    I turned to look at my roommates. They were all fast asleep.
    Anna B would have to come up to her dormitory. I would surprise her. I would tell her what a dangerous thing she was doing. It could result in her expulsion.
    I crept out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind me. I went swiftly along the corridor and waited in the shadows.
    She came. She did not look like the girl who had recently climbed through the window. She was wearing a veil over her face.
    The ghost, of course!
    She came silently up the stairs. I saw her clearly in the light from the window. She would never have deceived me into thinking she was the ghost. I would have known her anywhere.
    She opened the door of her dormitory. I followed her in. Lucia lifted herself from her bed and said, “You’re late.”
    Then both she and Anna B were staring at me.
    “What are you doing?” demanded Anna B.
    “Where have you been?” I countered.
    She just continued to stare at me, puzzled and furious.
    “You should be more careful,” I said. “I heard you below. I looked out and saw you come in through the window. I waited for you.”
    “You…you spy!”
    “Be quiet!” said Lucia. “Do you want to wake the school?”
    “You’ll be in trouble, young Lucinda,” said Anna B. “Walking about the dormitories at night.”
    “Not as much as you will be, going out and climbing through a window.”
    “Listen to me,” said Lucia. “Go back to your dorm. Talk in the morning.”
    I could see that was good sense.
    I nodded. “All right. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Anna B sat on her bed glowering at me. She was still holding the veil in her hand. Lucia had begun to giggle.
    I crept back to my room. The three girls were still fast asleep and unaware that I had been away.
    I got into bed and lay there shivering. What could she have been doing? And this was not the first time. I guessed Anna B was the “ghost” whom Janet Carew had seen.
    But where did she go? One thing was certain: Lucia was in on the secret.
    I had to wait until the following afternoon before I could encounter Anna B, for we attended different classes and our paths did not often cross.
    When I saw her, she said, “Come into the garden.”
    I followed her there.
    “What do you mean by spying on me?” she demanded in a bellicose manner. She was clearly on the defensive and distinctly rattled.
    “I was not spying!” I retorted. “I heard you and I looked out as anyone would. It could have been someone else who saw