The Girls of St. Cyprian's: A Tale of School Life Read online

  CHAPTER II

  St. Cyprian's College

  Among the six day-schools which were to form the "Alliance" none wasmore important in the city of Kirkton than St. Cyprian's College. Thoughin numbers it was much smaller than the High School, it possessed aunique and thoroughly-well-deserved reputation of its own. St. Cyprian'sspecialized in music, and just as at many large educationalestablishments there is a classical and a modern side, its course ofstudy was arranged for "collegiate" and "musical". No girl was receivedunder twelve years of age, by which time, it was considered, her naturalbent ought to have declared itself, and her parents could determinewhich branch would suit her best. Those who looked forward to aUniversity degree, or any career in which public examinations must playan important part, were placed on the "Collegiate" side, and trainedaccordingly in the necessary classics, mathematics and physics, whichwould fit them for matriculation, or as candidates for certainscholarships. In this department St. Cyprian's had done well, and scoredseveral brilliant successes. On the musical side Miss Cartwrightconsidered she met a crying need. She was apt to wax enthusiastic whenshe discussed her favourite point.

  "The time and attention devoted to music in most schools are totallyinadequate," she would say. "Take any girl with a moderate amount oftalent: the years from thirteen to eighteen are of extreme importance inher musical education. Now if she attends an ordinary High School, shemay with great difficulty put in an hour's daily practice, but noallowance at all is made for this in her table of home work, and it mustcome out of her recreation time. She will probably have about fortyminutes' choral singing weekly, and possibly--though this is by no meansthe rule--half an hour at theory, but of real music she does notunderstand even the rudiments. Pick out any ordinary girl of sixteen,take her to a concert, and ask her to name for you the variousinstruments in the orchestra: the chances are a hundred to one that theviolin and the 'cello are about the limit of her knowledge. She couldnot tell you the difference between a sonata and a symphony, or give youthe vaguest idea of the bass for such a simple tune as 'God save theKing'. Though, of course, girls differ greatly in musical capacity, Icontend that the utter lack of any adequate training is largelyresponsible for the pitiable ignorance and bad taste in music which is areproach only too justly flung at the British by other European nations.If all schools would give this subject the prominence it deserves, atthe end of a generation the present popular street songs would not betolerated, and we could once more produce something of the quality ofthe old English, Scotch, and Irish melodies which have lived among ournational tunes."

  In accordance with her system, therefore, Miss Cartwright arranged thatany pupil who was entered on the musical side of the school had aspecially-prepared curriculum. Certain lessons, which were compulsory onthe collegiate side, were in her case omitted, and the time given toclasses in harmony and counterpoint. Each girl practised for at leasthalf an hour daily at school, under the supervision of a mistress, whowas present while she received the weekly or bi-weekly lesson from hermaster, and who would see that his instructions were carried out to theletter. The home practising was considered of such vital importance thatevery pupil received a weekly time-sheet, which she was required to fillup with the amount done daily, and to bring signed by a parent orguardian. By this method real and thorough work was ensured, and arecord of progress carefully kept.

  With regard to its special cult of music, St. Cyprian's was particularlyfortunate in being situated at Kirkton, one of the biggest provincialcities in England. Kirkton offered peculiar facilities for a musicaleducation. Owing to its important commerce it included a largeproportion of Germans among its population, who were sufficientlywealthy and influential to support a magnificent series of classicalconcerts. The "Freiburg" orchestra, so called in memory of its founder,was world-famous, and comprised some of the best instrumentalists fromvarious parts of Europe, while its conductorship was considered anhonour sufficient to tempt leading musicians from Vienna or Berlin.There was also in the city the Freiburg Academy of Music, on the linesof a foreign conservatoire, where members of the celebrated orchestragave lessons, and students who were judged of sufficient talent could beadequately trained for the musical profession.

  To this "Academy of Music" Miss Cartwright passed on the most brilliantof her pupils. Several of its professors taught at St. Cyprian's, andshe endeavoured as far as possible that all the instruction given at herCollege should be on "Freiburg" lines, and therefore preparatory to themore advanced work which was to follow.

  Among the girls who comprised the musical section of the school therewere, of course, vast differences. Some were not possessed of any verygreat capacity, and would never attain more than ordinary proficiency,but one or two were really talented. The standard was so high, and thepains taken with the pupils were so great, that almost any average girlcould be taught to play well, up to a certain point. There is adifference, however, between music that has been learnt and music thatis inborn, and no amount of cultivation can supply what nature has notimplanted. At present there were only about five girls at St. Cyprian'swhose performance was of outstanding merit.

  Ella Martin, a member of the Sixth, played the violin with considerableskill; but though her technique was good, she had no power ofexpression, and the result was brilliant, but cold. Elizabeth Chalmers,of VB, was the counterpart of Ella Martin, but on the piano. Herrendering of most compositions was excellent as regards execution, butpurely mechanical, and therefore soulless. May Fawcett, a child ofbarely thirteen, who had only joined the school at Christmas, showedtalent, but was yet in the initial stages of Professor Weissmann'sparticular system, and, until she had forgotten the faults developedunder her former teacher, was being kept almost entirely at exercisesand studies.

  In VA two girls came easily to the fore. Lottie Lowman had acquiredrather an all-round reputation in the College. She played the pianowell, with a crisp, firm touch and a certain amount of feeling. She wasan excellent reader, and could dash off almost anything at sight, and asshe had, besides, the power of memorizing, she always seemed at home onher instrument. She sang also, with a clear soprano voice, pretty,popular drawing-room ballads, into which she threw much sentiment, andwhich never failed to delight an ordinary audience. Her extremeconfidence stood her in good stead, and her bright, taking manner addeda further charm to her undoubtedly clever performances.

  If Lottie was certainly the favourite of the school, it was MildredLancaster who, in the opinion of those really competent to judge, waslikely in the future to do credit to St. Cyprian's. Mildred had showntalent amounting sometimes to inspiration, and every now and then sherose to the point of genius. She learnt both piano and violin, but itwas at the latter instrument she excelled. Hitherto she had only workedwhen she chose, and was alternately the pride and the despair of hermaster, Herr Hoffmann. There was, unfortunately, no relying uponMildred's industry. One week her practice sheet would record three hoursdaily, and the next would show a deplorable series of blanks. When shefelt in the mood to play she could astonish her professor with herextraordinary flashes of brilliancy, but at other times she would seemabsolutely apathetic and uninterested.

  She had been three years at St. Cyprian's, and her general school recordwas fairly good. She never rose beyond the average of the Form, but wasnot regarded as amongst the drones. Perhaps one reason for this was herfriendship with Kitty Fletcher. Kitty had a thoroughly sensible,practical character. She was a hard worker, and being one of a largefamily, was not given to whims or fancies. Her influence over dreamy,romantic Mildred was excellent; she would spur her on to fresh efforts,both in lessons and athletics, and by a combination of sympathy,chaffing, and sheer will power often prevented her from falling into theslough of inertia to which her disposition was prone. Bright, jollyKitty was well liked in her Form, and her appointment as Games delegateproved popular. Her enthusiasm was catching, and already the girlspromised under her leadership to try to retrieve the lost glory of theCollege, and raise it again to its f
ormer standard.

  All at St. Cyprian's knew that the United Schools Alliance was not athing to be taken lightly. If they wished to shine in comparison withother schools, they would have to work, and devote far more energy totheir various undertakings than they had yet troubled to give. Theirfive rivals were not at all to be despised. The Kirkton High School,averaging six hundred to their two hundred, by its very numbers offereda good pick of champions for hockey teams or tennis tournaments. TheMarston Grove High School, a suburban branch of the former, had improvedon its parent establishment, and cultivated an almost Olympic keennessfor athletic contests. The Newington Green School was famous for itsArts and Handicrafts. The Templeton School had given several excellentdramatic entertainments in aid of charities; while the Anglo-GermanSchool, which was bilingual, could certainly win the palm in respect oflanguages.

  "The fact is, except in music, we're rather a rotten set. We shall haveto buck up!" said Kitty at the first committee meeting. "If we don't, weshall get a slap in the face."

  Though they might not endorse her slang, the other nine delegates wereinclined to agree with her sentiments.

  "There hasn't been enough competition just amongst ourselves," arguedElla Martin.

  "And it's been so hard to make anyone enthusiastic!" sighed AliceLightwood.

  "Or get them to do anything," echoed Joan Richards.

  "Well, they've just got to enthuse now. Slackers must turn sloggers, forthe credit of St. Cyprian's," declared Kitty. "Each department needsthoroughly organizing, and the best workers picking out. If possible wemust try and not overlap. It stands to reason the same girl can't bechampion at everything, and it's better to make her decide on her bent,and stick to it. If she's A1 at drawing, she mustn't unsteady her handby over-practice at tennis; but if she's a record bowler, for goodness'sake don't let her waste her time pottering over photography. I vote wetake a census of the school, put down everybody's speciality, and placeher on one of our five lists."

  "An excellent suggestion," said Dorrie Barlow. "We divide the schoolinto Literary, Musical, Dramatic, Arts, and Athletics, and as heads ofthe various departments look after our own protegees."

  "But surely all will play games?" objected Joan Richards.

  "Oh, yes! they'll play, of course--one must have a rank and file--butthe ones we select for special training must not be those who areworking in another division. Can't you see that if a girl's in the'Dramatic', or practising for a concert, she may play cricket or tennisfor health and recreation, but she can't give her whole mind to it, asshe ought to if she wants to be a champion?"

  "A boarding-school with compulsory games has the best chance."

  "Well, thank goodness, we're not competing against boarding-schools. Theothers are as much day girls as ourselves, and no doubt as hard to makekeen. If we can keep up the general interest we shan't do badly, and Idare say we may hold our own with fair credit."

  Kitty's plan was at once adopted by the committee. A census was taken ofthe school, and each girl was asked to decide upon which subject shemeant to devote her surplus energies. The delegates were enthusiastic,and allowed nobody to escape from their net. They formed five specialsocieties with sub-committees, drew up rules, enrolled their members,and insisted upon keeping them up to the mark. Any girl who was notclever in the more-cultured branches of the Alliance was relegated toathletics, and under Kitty's tutorship made to develop her muscles. Atfirst the habitual idlers grumbled, and tried to evade the hard work,but public opinion was against them. St. Cyprian's was on its mettle,and the busy bees would not tolerate drones in their hive. Any girl whodid not try her best in one of the five new societies speedily foundherself unpopular, and to be unpopular in a large school is anunpleasant experience. Each society was working for a definite object.The "Dramatic" was getting up a play, the "Literary" meant to publish amagazine, the "Arts and Handicrafts" were working for an exhibition, the"Musical" meant to give a concert, and the "Athletic" was training itscricket and tennis champions.

  Lottie Lowman certainly was capable of rendering good service in theMusical department. She discovered several juniors with promisingvoices, and taught them each to sing a solo with great effect. If herstyle was not quite of the best, she was enthusiastic, and couldcommunicate her own enthusiasm to others. The younger ones practisedaway at light opera songs with keenest enjoyment, learnt, in their sparetime, to play the accompaniments, and were always to be heard trillingsnatches of melody about the school. Ella Martin was concentrating herefforts upon the instrumental parts, and left the vocal to herco-delegate. "Lottie's choir", as her flock was called, was entirely aseparate institution from the College Choral Classes, and had nothing todo with Mr. Hiller, the singing master. Lottie organized the wholebusiness, chose the songs, conducted practices, and coached her pupilsentirely independent of any supervision at head-quarters. She threwherself heartily into her task. The work entirely suited her. She lovedto lead, and was extremely happy in her new role of training mistress.The girls had gathered very readily round her musical standard, with oneexception. Mildred Lancaster held herself aloof, and, under plea ofneeding all her time for instrumental work, refused to attend the choralpractices.

  It had been a great blow for Mildred that she was not chosen as adelegate. She was conscious that her talent greatly surpassed Lottie's,and she did not altogether approve of the latter's methods. Her markedlack of enthusiasm for the new scheme drew down comment from her friendKitty Fletcher.

  "You might help, Mildred! You could do so much if you liked, and it'sall for the good of the Coll. Why can't you train some kids, or give ashove to the thing somehow?"

  Mildred shook her head gloomily.

  "I know you think me mean, but the fact is I can't work with Lottie. Herstyle sets my teeth on edge. She's giving those juniors the most trashy,rubbishy set of songs, and teaching them to sing with that horribleperpetual vibrato--and you know Mr. Hiller's opinion of that! She letsthem thump accompaniments anyhow, with the bass all wrong. Ugh! Thewhole thing is too music-hall-y for me."

  "Of course we all know your taste is classical," sighed Kitty; "but onthat very account I thought you might be so useful in keeping up thestandard. Miss Cartwright never meant them to howl pantomime songs.You'd be a check on Lottie."

  "A check she won't acknowledge. If I say a word, she'll ask me who'sdelegate, and tell me to mind my own business. I don't court snubs,thank you! No; if they chose Lottie, they must stick to Lottie, andabide the consequences. I'm not going to do the spadework and let herreap the harvest. I've plenty of practising to do on my own account,quite enough to fill my spare time."

  "Yes, if you'd do it," retorted Kitty, who was public-spirited, andtherefore rather angry with her friend.

  But Mildred only shrugged her shoulders, and turned away. Kitty said nomore at the time, but she made an opportunity to see Ella Martin, andpoured forth her complaints.

  "Mildred's slacking all round," she said. "I don't know what's wrongwith her. She's letting her own work go. Her practice-sheet is adisgrace. She's the most musical girl we have at the Coll., and she'ssimply doing nothing for herself or anyone else."

  "Yes, I've noticed she's gone off lately," replied Ella. "She's acurious girl. I can't make her out. I sometimes think she's incorrigiblylazy. She plays when she feels inclined, and she's so clever that it'sno effort to her, but real solid work she doesn't understand. If I'dhalf her talent I'd undertake to do more with it than she does.Sometimes she makes Professor Hoffmann absolutely rage with wrath; shehas her lesson just before mine, you know, so I don't bless her when sheleaves him in a bad temper. Professor Kleindorf gets pretty savage toowhen she won't practise, though I think he realizes that her piano isonly understudy to her violin, and doesn't expect too much."

  "I wish something would happen to wake her up!" declared Kitty.