Chapter 18
Jack had no intention of rushing into anything, but he often found himself thinking of Lucy over the next few weeks. He had spoken to Madge, telling them of the girls and how attached they seemed to their brothers. As he had secretly hoped, Madge immediately declared her intention of inviting the four to stay for a weekend very soon. She had been very much taken with what she had seen of Edmund and Peter, in any case.
So it was, about four weeks later that the girls found themselves making their way up to the Sonnalpe, in company with their brothers. They were to be the guests of Dr and Mrs Russell. Susan had found herself the envy of the other Middles when they discovered where she was spending the weekend.
"Oh, lucky you," cried Joyce, who had often been a guest in the Russell's home. "Mind you give Stacie our love" and the others agreed with her. In fact, Susan found herself overloaded with notes and various small gifts for Stacie, from her friends.
It was Joyce too, who told Susan how Mrs Russell, known fondly as Madame, to the school at large, had begun the Chalet School. A few years after its beginning she had married Dr Russell and had gone to live up on the Sonnalpe, retaining a financial interest in the school. Mademoiselle, her partner in the venture, had then become the headmistress.
Susan was very much interested in all of this and regaled her sister and brothers some of the tales told her by the others, as they made their way up the mountain side.
When they at length reached the Sonnalpe Jack Maynard was waiting for them, to lead them to the Russells' pretty home, lest Peter and Edmund should not remember the way, as he explained, somewhat awkwardly. Edmund and Peter looked at each other in amusement, but made no comment, other than to thank Jack for his thoughtfulness. Lucy hung back a little with Susan, allowing the three young men to walk a little in front of them, much to Jack's disappointment, as he had been hoping to fall into conversation with her. This did not escape Peter's notice, but he knew Lucy was not thinking of Jack in that way, so he hastened to draw Jack into conversation himself, until they reached the Russells' house.
Madge was waiting out the front to meet them and came to greet them with outstretched hands. Lucy and Susan hung back shyly as she greeted their brothers and then Peter introduced them. Madge welcomed them also, and then led the party inside. Susan and Lucy were shown to a pretty white bedroom, which they were informed was to be their room for the duration of their stay.
"Oh please, Mrs Russell, may I see Stacie for a few moments?" begged Susan, who was longing to see Stacie again. Madge looked at Jack, a silent question in her eyes. He nodded.
"I don't see any harm in it. She's much stronger this week and it will do her good to see one of her friends. Only a few minutes, mind you, and you're not to let her get too excited; it isn't good for her."
Susan promised and then, gathering up her bundle of notes and presents for Stacie, followed Madge down the corridor to Stacie's bedroom. Lucy was left alone in the corridor with Jack Maynard. Peter and Edmund had gone to unpack their own things. Lucy earnestly gazed down at her shoes. She was not used to young men other than her brothers and had no idea what to say to Jack Maynard. However, Jack was used to schoolgirls and hastened to put her at her ease.
"Come along," he said cheerfully. "Come on down to the sitting room and we'll see if Grizel and Juliet are about."