Winter Term at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton Page B

others turned to look at her in surprise, she went on, ‘Because June will have it in for Olive, and will get her own back on her. And I, for one, am looking forward to it!’
    As Bonnie flounced off with Amy, Susan gave a sigh and said, ‘I do so hate all this spite and bad feeling that seems to be brewing.’
    â€˜Horrible, isn’t it?’ agreed Felicity. ‘Though I must say, Olive has rather brought it on herself. Petty spite is one ofthe hardest faults to forgive, and it always stirs up more spite in return.’
    â€˜Yes, you’re quite right,’ said Susan. ‘And I think that Bonnie was right, too, when she said that June will try to get her own back on Olive. I say, where is June?’
    â€˜She and Freddie got changed in a trice, and dashed off somewhere,’ said Lucy. ‘I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if they’re plotting revenge on Olive right this very minute.’
    â€˜You know, Susan, as head of the form, I really think that it’s your duty to speak to Olive about her behaviour,’ said Sylvia, an earnest expression on her face.
    Susan was rather taken aback, and not at all pleased at this unwanted piece of advice from the new girl. Felicity, too, felt annoyed, and she said, ‘Really, Sylvia, I don’t think that it’s your place—’
    But Sylvia didn’t even realise that Felicity was speaking, and went on, in her rather loud voice, ‘We had a girl just like Olive at my old school. Of course, as head-girl, I had to reprimand her pretty severely. It did the trick, though, if I do say so myself.’ She smiled at Susan and said sympathetically, ‘There is such a lot to learn when one first becomes head-girl, isn’t there? Especially if one has never held a position of responsibility before. But I am always on hand to give help and advice, Susan.’
    And, leaving the fourth formers staring after her, open-mouthed, Sylvia put on her coat and went out of the changing room.
    Felicity made an explosive little sound of irritation as the door closed behind the new girl, while Susan scoffed,‘As if I would ask Sylvia for advice about anything! If I needed anyone to help me, I would ask you, Felicity, or Pam. You have both had a turn as head-girl, and I’ll bet you both made a better job of it than Say-So Sylvia!’
    A shout of laughter went up at this, and Nora cried, ‘What a marvellous nickname—Say-So Sylvia!’
    â€˜I suppose it is rather a good nickname,’ said Susan, with a pleased grin, and the others chorused, ‘IF YOU DO SAY SO YOURSELF!’
    June and Freddie, meanwhile, were indeed plotting revenge on Olive. They were up in the dormitory, looking through June’s box of tricks, the pair of them chuckling as they recalled jokes that they had played in the past.
    â€˜Do you remember the time that Mam’zelle used that soap, which made her face look as if it was streaked with dirt?’ laughed Freddie. ‘I say! I don’t suppose you have any more of it, do you June? That would be a super trick to play on Olive.’
    â€˜No, I lent it to my brother, Peter, in the holidays,’ answered June, before lapsing into a thoughtful silence. Olive’s unpleasant habit of gloating over those who got into trouble rankled with her. Perhaps the girl would think twice about doing it again if she was on the receiving end of a scold from one of the mistresses!
    June said as much to Freddie, who agreed heartily. ‘It would certainly serve her right,’ she said. ‘I say, can’t we think of something to do in Miss Tallant’s class tomorrow?There must be a way that we can get her to lose her temper with Olive.’
    June clicked her fingers suddenly. ‘I think that there is,’ she said, grinning. ‘Have you noticed how frightened Olive is of the mice in the biology room?’
    â€˜I know that she always sits as far away from their cage as