"Evidently not," Alison agreed, a little dryly.
A few minutes later Miss Cazalet arrived, accompanied by Madge, Deirdre and half a dozen others, while many more were close behind. Quite a large number of girls were going to the match as spectators.
Deirdre welcomed Allison with heartfelt relief.
"Thank goodness! I've been wondering all the way how on earth I could fill your place without disorganizing the team too hopelessly, supposing Glenda and Nat had not been in time. However, it's all right now."
"And for once in my life," added Madge, "my scatterbrains have functioned properly. I've remembered to bring your stick and your pads, also your hockey kit, which I found flung in an untidy heap on your cubicle floor. Two other girls are bringing along your sticks, Glenda and Nat."
When the train steamed into the station there was a general scramble for empty carriages. Miss Cazalet, Madge, Deirdre, Pam, Allison and Nat crowded into one compartment with several other members of the team. While in the act of scrambling in, Nat recollected with dismay that the previous evening Monica had suddenly and inexplicably announced her intention of putting her name on the list of those who wished to accompany the team to the match, and she hung out of the window to see if there were any signs of her. Yes, there she was, getting into a carriage with several other girls. Nat withdrew her head hastily as the train began to move.
There were only two members of the team in the party who occupied Monica's carriage, Olive James—the girl who had come in as reserve when it was thought Allison would not be playing—and Lorna Payne, the original reserve, who played inside-right. Of course, as things had turned out, it was probable that neither would be called upon to play. Among the others were Prue and Meggie, who had forgotten their animosity against the hockey club when there was a chance of a day's outing. Prue had an extraordinary nose for scandal or a lively story of any description and seemed able to smell one a mile off, as her sister Pam was wont to say rather unkindly. Therefore no one was surprised when, the moment they were all seated, Prue turned to Lorna and Olive and demanded:
"Hey, what's this we hear about someone sending a bogus telegram to entice Allison away? I heard Madge and Deirdre say something about it."
"You would," returned Lorna sarcastically, while Olive piped in: "All I know is that, just before dinner, Deirdre grabbed me in an awful stew and told me I should be going as reserve and Lorna would be playing, as Allison had had bad news from home and wouldn't be able to come."
Lorna was one of those girls who had been present when Irene told her tale. "The story comes from Irene," she explained. "She accused Monica of plotting with one of the girls at her old school, Fairhurst Priory, to entice Allison away with a sham telegram in order to spoil our chances of winning the shield."