VERONICA’S SKETCH CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20254, 24 July 1937, Page 21 (Supplement)

VERONICA’S SKETCH CLUB.

(By B. C. Freeman.)

(Continued from last 'week.) f It was Jean who savCd the situation, and Jean could he trusted to aave any situation. | M Hullo, what’s up " Casually she pushed her way through the rhododendrons and strolled over to tha hysterical artists. “ Oh, I see. Veronica, I congratulate youl" Her voioe was dear. ** You’ve staged this awfully well, but it’s proved my point, hasn’t It? I told you that If you did anything In the least unusual you’d attraot half the school. That being settled—shall I help you to clear up?" " Yes, please.” Veronica had caught Jean’s non-committal wink and pulled herself together. " Wonderful what ourloslty will do, Isn’t It? I knew the Thirds were Inquisitive llttlef wretches, but I should never have expected the Fourths— ’’ Jean ohuokled realistically. " They are all alike —these children.’* "A put-up Jobl" The crowd round the rhododendrons was melting away, half ashamed of Uself, half angry. ** But was It a put-up Job?” "There’s the Hawkins. Come on.” "Here, Doris and you others," Jean Balled back the retreating Third. " Next time you pay a visit to the Fifth, remember your manners,’* and ** Yes, Jean," they said meekly. Veronica’s place was empty at teatime and she was still absent at supper. It was, of course, Jean who found her curled up behind the biggest rhododendron In the twilight with three wet handkerohlefs on the grass beside her. " I thought I’d find you here. I w also thought you’d be wanting this." ' Jean dropped a dry handkerchief Into her lap. ** You know, Ve’ronloa, you are an awful responsibility for any •elf-respectlng form. I think I shall have to oome to the next Sketch Club meeting myself Just to see that you don’t— ■** ** Tha Sketch Club’s—dead," Veronica gulped. " Nobody will ever want to come to another meeting, and anyhow, there’s nowhere now for us to have It.” " Nonsense 1" Jean sat down quietly. *' The Sketoh Clum Meeting will be held as usual next Saturday—in Bengo's garden." •* Bengo’s garden? Has Bengo a garden?" *• Yes. It wasn’t eYaotly my own Idea," Jean was smiling. " But, well, I went along to Bengo’s after tea, and he’ll lend us the garden for 3d an hour. TheTe are three apple trees In It, and a lot of grass and a little gate leading into the lane at the hack. Most convenient. Bengo said that as you were a special friend of his, he’d bo delighted to oblige’ us. I’ve been talking to the others and nine of them are still anxious to carry on. Eleven Isn't a bad number." " Eleven ?"

" I told you I was Joining." "Oh Jean!" Veronica wiped her dves. “ What should 1 do without you? Shall we tell the Head and Miss Hawkins? I did want It to be a Secret Society, but I’ll do anything you Like now." " I don’t think we need tell any one. We can’t go to the Head after this afternoon’s e’xcltement and it’s certainly not necessary to tell Miss Hawkins.” Jean stood up. “ Come on. We’d better go and tell the others that everything's settled.” Mr Ben Goldlnc was enjoying himself. His shop which, In defiance of local tradition, remained open until five o'clock on Saturday, had become "l.fdenly so popular with Randall House School that he could scarcely cope with the demand for Id. books and 2d. oddments. On Saturday, from three o’clock onwards, he had a steady stream of visitors—Thirdformers. who hung round the door, and Second- formers whose Interest In the faded prints in his window was only equalled by their Interest In the members of the Fifth, who strolled through his open doorway and vanJP* lshed In the dark Interior of the shop. ’ Always Mr Golding followed them politely and, having received the whispered password—" Red Chalk”, • Peasant Girl”, or "Tiger Head”, proceeded to sell a fictitious candle-stick or C.hlneso salt spoon before reappearing with his customary smile. But

Veronica &nd Jean and the nine others did not reappear, Bengo revelled In mystery and dark lntriguof and the Third and Second Forms were duly mystified and intrigued until most of their pooket money and all their patience was exhausted. Only then did they oonsult the Fourth Form Captain. It was not difficult to Interest the Fourth, still smarting under recent Indignities, and Doris’s tale lost nothing In the telling. " Leave It to us!" The Form Captain went to work with a thoroughness that would have done credit to Sootland Yard, and for one' long, hot Saturday afternoon the High Street was never without a pair of prowling Fourth Formers. It was annoying that after suoh well-planned policing the reunited Fourth should arrive baok at Sohool to reoelve' a stinging rebuke from Miss Hawkins for unpunctuality and to find Veronloa. Jean, and the rest of the Fifth placidly enjoying their tea. The reorganized Sketch Club flourished. To Veronica It was a soured of infinite Joy and excitement; to the others a refreshing ohange after the monotonies of Maths and French. The tatteVed Paisley, which could so conveniently be stored with sketch-books and penolls in Bengo a wood shed, proved the most obliging of shawls and transformed Itself Into a Roman toga, a royal train, or goose girl’s cloak ns thief oocaslon demanded. And the yellow silk curtain was equally accommodating. Above all, the Sketoh Club members congratulated themselves on their perfect privacy. The walls of Be’ngo’s garden were high, and the knowledge that perspiring Fourth Formers were patrolling the High Street and ourlous Juniors crowding Be’ngo’s doorstep in no way spoiled their satisfaction. Onoe even heard the Hawkins’ voice followed by Bengo’s quiet laughter as she left the shop. Bengo, they knew, would guard their secret. The following Monday, as If In proof of his friendship, the parcel arrived, addressed In blook capitals to " Miss VeVonlca Courtney". Veronica opened it casually, then gasped and stared and gasped again. Jean glanced up. “A present." 44 Oh, look!" Veronica had thrust aside the tissue paped and was holding up a full-skirted peasant dress. The're was a carefully printed note pinned to the bodice. “ To the Sketch Club—with good wishes and compliments." " But who on earth can have sent It?” Jean demanded. 44 I don’t know. There’s no stamp and no postmark. Oh, what a ripping colour it Is!” Veronica shook it lovingly. "And Just look at the’ embroidery on the apron!” " 1 am looking—and it seems somehow familiar,” Jean laughed. 44 1 say, turn up the peasant girl in your book, will you?” (To be continued.)