02 Jo of the Chalet School by Elinor Brent-Dyer

Author:Elinor Brent-Dyer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2011-03-28T23:00:00+00:00

‘There’s tobogganing too, and skating,’ went on Joey, waving gaily to the hostess of the Gasthaus at Seespitz, which they were passing. ‘Come on, Robin; this way now!’ And she led off to the right through tall black pines to the narrow winding pathway that ran along the banks of what was usually a very turbulent little stream. Now, Winter held it in his iron grasp, and there was silence where before there had been the music of tossing water. Icicles hung on the boulders in its bed, and fringed the alder boughs that overhung it, and a black pathway of ice was all that showed its usual course.

‘Isn’t it still?’ said Joey in half-awed tones. ‘Even the sawmill has stopped.’

‘Of course,’ said Madge. ‘It can’t go on when the stream is frozen.’

‘I forgot that!’ Joey gave a giggle. ‘What an ass I am!’

Down, down, they went. The voices of Marie and Eigen floated up to them clearly on the frosty air, and occasionally there was a sharp ‘crack,’ as a rotten bough snapped in the woods under its weight of snow.

But, expect for these sounds, there was silence – a silence that could be felt. Even excitable Joey stopped talking before long, and they went on without speaking.

When they had gone a third of the way, Miss Bettany stopped and picked up the Robin, who was beginning to lag behind.

‘Why not take her on your back?’ suggested Joey. ‘I can give her a boost up, and you’ll be able to see your way better.’

‘That’s a good idea,’ agreed Madge. ‘Climb up on that log, Robinette, and Joey will help you up. That’s it! Put your arms round my neck, but don’t strangle me if you can help it! Comfy? -Come along, then, Joey?’

They set off once more, and this time got on faster. The Robin, in spite of her wrappings, was a light weight, and Madge, though slightly built, was strong. Joey stepped out manfully, and they made good time down the mountain-side.

Miss Bettany was beginning to feel anxious about Marie and Eigen. They meant to return that night, she knew, and it was growing dusk already under the pines. ‘Joey,’ she said presently, ‘if I send Marie and Eigen back as soon as we reach Spärtz, do you think you and I can mange the Japanese baskets between us?

The Robin could carry your little one, I should think.

‘Oh, rather!’ said Joey enthusiastically. ‘It isn’t far to the station.’

‘I don’t like the idea of those two having to go back up there in the dark. It’s clouding in, too, and I’m afraid we shall have more snow. I’ll carry the Robin to the bottom, and then she’ll be quite fresh. We can take the baskets, and I’ll send those two straight back up the path.’

‘Good scheme!’ agreed Joey. ‘But, I say, Madge, if you get tired, Robin can carry the basket now, and we can give her a queen’s chair.’

‘Perhaps that would be better,’ said Madge thoughtfully. ‘She’s very light, but the baskets won’t be.

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