Shocks for the Chalet School

In the few days before the beginning of term, Miss Annersley, Rosalie Dene and Matey receive the first two shocks of the book. The first shock is the announcement - by telegram - of the imminent arrival of fire-raiser Emerence Hope (aged thirteen and eleven months) from Australia, sent on recommendation of Con Mackenzie, formerly history teacher Miss Stewart. Emerence is a handful with no manners, who has never been told "no". The second is when, unexpectedly, Jack Maynard turns up from Canada with startling news about Joey. The next shocks are for Bride Bettany, who returns to school to find that she and her circle are now the "grandees" of the school. Bride herself is in for a worrying term due to family illness, but Elfie does provide her with a more pleasant surprise after half term. Excitements follow thick and fast. By the time of the Christmas Play Emerence has been more or less assimilated into the school and the last-minute arrival of another visitor from Canada provides the nicest shock of the term.