Maidlin Bears the Torch

‘And I wish to speak to Benedicta Bennett in my room, in half-an-hour.’ The headmistress ended her list of announcements.Then she laughed, at sight of Benney’s startled face.‘Oh, there’s nothing the matter! Don’t look so worried, Benney. I’m sorry I frightened you. I have a message from your mother; something pleasant.’ And she left Benney to think it over.‘We wondered what you’d been doing, old Ben,’ one of her friends called across the classroom.‘So did I!’ Benney said fervently. ‘When she called me Benedicta I nearly died. I knew I hadn’t done anything.’‘Thought you might have been having a final fling, before saying good-bye to us for ever.’‘Don’t rub it in,’ Benney pleaded. ‘I want to go to this new place; it sounds marvellous. But I hate the thought of leaving you all.’‘So do we. You might have stayed with us for one more year.’