"No."
After this brief denial, conversation languished. The new girl volunteered no information about herself and did not seem to want to know anything about her new surroundings, so Nat racked her brains for a further topic of interest.
"Do you play games at all? That always helps at school. Even girls who aren't much good at anything else get awfully popular if they can shine at games."
"No, I can't play any games."
Nat was completely taken aback.
"Not any at all? But surely you must have played something. Not cricket or tennis or netball?"
The new girl shook her head.
"Nor hockey?"
"No, I don't think so. What is hockey like?"
"Oh, it's a topping game. You chase up and down a field and swipe at the ball with your stick whenever you get the chance. You'll have to play something here. Games are compulsory, unless you're excused for medical reasons. You haven't a weak heart or varicose veins, I suppose?"