"Are we allowed to hang any pictures in our cubicles?"
"Why yes, certainly, only you mustn't knock nails into the outside walls. There's a picture rail on the wall, so that difficulty is easily overcome. You can also use drawing-pins. Of course there are certain dormitory rules about lights, talking and so on, but you'll find a list of them hanging just inside the door, also a list of the occupants of the cubicles. Hot water? You get it from the bathrooms when you want it. By the by, you are expected to knock before entering another person's cubicle—a senior's, at any rate. Anything else you want to know, Matty?" tapping the small girl on the head with her pencil.
"My name isn't Matty. It's Margaret."
"Too long," replied Madge cheerfully. "I haven't time for more than two syllables just now."
"Please," inquired another rather timidly, "do we do anything else this evening besides unpack?"
"Yes. I'm to take you to see Miss Julian—the Principal, you know—at six o'clock. Then at half-past six we assemble. It's the usual proceeding. Announcements are made, we are all welcomed back and of course are all exhorted to roll up our sleeves for the year's work and put some elbow grease into it. Also you get a few words for the good of your soul, though fortunately Prinny's sermons are brief and to the point. Of course, you needn't listen, but as you are new kids perhaps it would be wise for you to do so this first time.
"That's all that happens to-night. Prinny may tell you what class you are in, or if you haven't already been to school you may have to sit for tests to-morrow morning. But really, if you're sensible kids you can have an awfully good time here. There are several societies you can join, the dramatic and the indoor games, for instance. The dramatic get up a play every year, and the indoor games play draughts and chess and table-tennis and so on. As for the outdoor games, well—" Madge was warming to her work. "Now that summer term is over I may as well tell you you'll soon have to make a very important decision." Madge's expression grew portentous. "You will have to choose which to join, the hockey club or the netball club."
"Can't you play both?"
"Play both!" Madge was horror-struck. "Indeed no! Not that there's any rule about it, but it simply isn't done. You must choose one or the other. I am secretary of one of the clubs, but I won't tell you which," she added modestly, "as I don't wish to influence you unfairly. Naturally, it is by far the better game of the two. Hark! There's tea bell."
She counted them round to see if all were present, then marshalled them downstairs with a wave of her hand and an encouraging: "Come along. En avant, mes enfants!"