It was during our second year at Meridian House that Lavinia experienced her second disaster, and it was inevitable that it was of a nature similar to the first.

She ignored me for a good deal of the time, remembering me only when she needed help with her work. She had her own little community and they were known as "the fast set." They regarded themselves as adult and worldly; they were very daring and knowledgeable of the facts of life. Lavinia was queen of this little band, for though most of them could only theorize on the topic nearest their hearts, Lavinia had had practical experience.

When she was very angry with me she would sometimes refer to me in a tone of complete contempt as "You ... virgin!"

I often thought that if Lavinia had been one of that despised sect I might be at home cosily doing my lessons with Miss York and with dear Polly to run to when an emergency arose.

Polly wrote to me in a rather laborious hand. She had learned to write when Tom had gone away to sea so that she could keep in close touch with him. Her words were often misspelt, but the warmth of her feeling came through to comfort me.

I often thought of her and Eff during that time, and in the summer holidays I did go to see them. I stayed a week and it was wonderful to be with Polly. She and Eff were doing well. Both had an aptitude for business. Polly was soon on friendly terms with the paying guests and Eff supplied the essential dignity which was part of keeping everyone in order.

"We're what Father would have called a good team," Eff told me. She was particularly pleased at that time, for "Downstairs No. 32" (which was what she called the tenants of the lower floor in the most recently acquired house) had brought a nipper with them. They were very content and had the garden for the pram, which was a very comfortable arrangement, and Eff and Polly could pop in at any time and gurgle over the child. Eff always referred to her tenants as "Top Floor 30," "First Floor 32" and so on.

They were wonderful days while Polly listened to my news about school and I learned the backgrounds and idiosyncrasies of Top Floor to Basement Room.

For instance, Top Floor left the tap running and First Floor wouldn't do her part of the stairs properly; even Downstairs No. 32 hadn't really come out of the top drawer, but of course they were forgiven a great deal because they had brought the nipper.

"He's a regular little fellow, he is. You should see the smile I get from him when I go out there." So I gathered that, as previously in the case of the Branleys, the nipper made up for his parents' shortcomings.

Going "up West" with Polly, looking at the big shops, walking through the market on a Saturday night when the flares were lighted and the faces of the costers gleamed scarlet in their light, looking at the rosy apples piled onto the stalls, listening to the cries of "fresh herring, cockles and mussels," past the old quack who swore his remedies would cure falling hair, rheumatic pains and all the ailments that the flesh was heir to ... it was the greatest excitement and I loved it.

Polly made me feel that I was the most important person in the world to her and it was comforting, even when we parted, that I felt I had not lost her forever.

She loved me to talk about my life. I told her about Miss Gentian, the absolute ruler of us all. "A real tartar that one," commented Polly, chuckling, and when I imitated Mademoiselle the French mistress, she rolled about with glee and murmured, "Them foreigners. They're real cautions. I reckon you have a real lark with her." It all seemed incredibly amusing— much more funny than it was in reality.

When I left Eff said, "Mind you come again."

"Think of it as your home, love," said Polly. "I'll tell you this: Where I am ... that will always be your home."

What a comfort that was! I should remember it always.

During the last term I spent at Meridian House, Lavinia and two other girls were caught coming in late at night. They had bribed one of the maids to let them in and were caught in the act by a mistress who, having a toothache, had come down to the medical stores to get something to soothe it. Her arrival in the hall had coincided with the surreptitious opening of the door and the conspirators were caught red-handed.

There was a terrible scene. Lavinia crept up to the bedroom she shared with me and another girl. We had to be in the secret, of course, for it was not the first time it had happened.

Lavinia was shaken. "There'll be trouble over this," she said. "That sly Miss Spence. She caught us coming in."

"Did Annie let you in?" I asked. Annie was the maid.

Lavinia nodded.

"She'll be dismissed," I said.

"Yes, I suppose so," said Lavinia carelessly. "I reckon we'll be for it tomorrow. You wait until old Gentian hears."

"You shouldn't have involved Annie."

"How would we have got in otherwise?"

"You should not have used her."

"Don't be idiotic," snapped Lavinia; but she was very worried.

And with good reason. The reverberations were greater than we had feared. Poor Annie was dismissed immediately. Miss Gentian had the girls involved brought to her and, according to Lavinia, had gone on and on about how ashamed she was that girls from her school should have behaved in such a cheap and common manner. They were finally sent to their rooms after being told that this was not the end of the matter.

The term was almost over, and the day before we returned Lady Harriet received a letter stating that Miss Gentian was of the opinion that Lavinia would be happier at another school and she regretted there would be no place for her at Meridian House next term or in the foreseeable future.

Lady Harriet was furious that a school should have refused to take her daughter. She would not allow that to pass. Lady Harriet and Miss Gentian were like two commanders going into battle. Lady Harriet began by writing to Miss Gentian suggesting that perhaps her letter had been a little unconsidered. She, Lady Harriet, was not without influence and she had wished her daughter to remain at Meridian House for at least another year. Miss Gentian replied that she was sure Lavinia would be happier elsewhere in such a manner that she implied that she herself would also be happier in that event.

Lady Harriet suggested that Miss Gentian come and see her that they might talk the matter over in a friendly fashion. Miss Gentian replied that she had many commitments, but if Lady Harriet cared to come to see her that might be arranged. However, she thought she ought to point out that she had given much thought to the problem and in her mind Lavinia was not suited to Meridian House and the matter was settled.

Lady Harriet came to the rectory to see what report Miss Gentian had given me.

"Drusilla has worked well. Her mathematics leave much to be desired, but she is improving in this field. She is making good progress generally." It was clear that I was not included in the edict of excommunication. I had enjoyed the school. I was interested in my studies, and the feeling of competition, which I had missed at home, spurred me on to do better. True, I was not very much interested in sport, but Miss Gentian herself was not either. I fancied I had now and then caught a gleam of approval in her eyes when they rested on me. Moreover, I had not been caught illegally consorting with members of the boys' school. Lady Harriet was more concerned than ever to find that I was making a success of my scholastic career.

She took the unprecedented step of going to see Miss Gentian, but she came back defeated. I think she must have learned about the escapade and this made her feel deflated. Her fears that her daughter might be turning into a nymphomaniac were being confirmed. If it had been possible for me to feel sorry for such an exalted being, I should have done so.

But she did not hesitate long before taking action. She sent for my father. I was not present at the interview, but I heard of it later.

She told my father that what girls needed was a finishing school. She had been enquiring among her friends and she knew of a good one in France. The Duchess of Mentover had sent her daughter there and, knowing the Duchess, one knew also that she would never send her daughter to a school which was not everything it should be.

Meridian House had been a bad choice. That Miss Gentian was far too domineering. What girls wanted to learn if they were to do well in later life was social grace.

My father feebly protested that it was a good education that he and his late wife had wanted for me and he believed that I was getting that at Meridian House. I had, according to my reports, been doing very well. Miss Gentian had written to him personally.

"Foolish woman!" said Lady Harriet. "She is evidently eager to keep one of the girls I sent to her."

"I thought that if Drusilla stayed on another two years, say ..."

"Quite wrong, rector. Girls need a good finishing school. They must go to this one in France recommended by the Duchess."

"I fear it will be beyond my means, Lady Harriet."

"Nonsense. I will pay the extra. I would like Drusilla to be with Lavinia. They have been such friends over many years. It will be a good thing for them both to go together."

After a good deal of hesitation, my father gave in. My mother had been concerned solely with education. "Polish" was not something which had come into her mind. Erudition was one thing; social graces another. Presumably Lavinia would have a season in London when she emerged with a sufficiently high gloss upon her; then she would be presented at Court. No such future was envisaged for me.