A Popular Schoolgirl · Chapter
Opening Day explained
It is the first day of the autumn term at the Girls' College in Grovebury, and the long-awaited new college building is finally opened.
What happens
It is the first day of the autumn term at the Girls' College in Grovebury, and the long-awaited new college building is finally opened. Ingred Saxon, humiliated by her family's inability to return to Rotherwood, reacts sharply to her classmates' questions. She becomes a weekly boarder at the hostel, where she joins Verity Richmond, Nora Clifford, and Fil Trevor. The four girls form a secret pact called 'The Foursome League' to support each other. The chapter also describes the opening ceremony of the new college, with distinguished guests and the entire school assembled.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Status
Ingred's pride and humiliation over losing Rotherwood reflect her concern about social standing among her peers.
Friendship and Rivalry
The formation of the Foursome League highlights the importance of friendship and mutual support among the hostel girls.
Community and Belonging
The opening of the new college and the hostel community emphasize a sense of belonging and shared experience.
Characters to notice
- Ingred Saxon
Struggles with pride and humiliation over losing Rotherwood; becomes a weekly boarder; joins the Foursome League.
- Verity Richmond
Lively and quick-witted; becomes a boarder at the hostel; proposes the Foursome League.
- Nora Clifford
Jolly and confident; a boarder at the hostel; shows Ingred around the new college.
- Fil Trevor
Dainty and delicate; a boarder at the hostel; part of the Foursome League.
- Francie Hall
Expresses surprise at Ingred's news about not returning to Rotherwood.
- Beatrice Jackson
Tactlessly questions Ingred about Rotherwood, provoking Ingred's anger.
- Jess Howard
Makes a teasing remark about Ingred's situation.
- Miss Burd
Headmistress; ushers in the Mayor and other dignitaries for the opening ceremony.
Key passages
““We’re not going back there.” “Not going back!” Francie’s tone was one of genuine amazement. “Why, but you said it was being done up for you, and you’d be moving before the term started!” “Well, we’re not, at any rate.””
Ingred reveals that her family will not move back to Rotherwood, shocking Francie who had expected the move.
Highlights Ingred's family's changed circumstances and her sensitivity about it.
““Look here!” said Verity. “If we want to have a jolly term we four must stick together. Let’s make a compact that, both in school and in the hostel, we’ll support each other through thick and thin.””
Verity proposes a pact of mutual support among the four hostel friends, calling it the Foursome League.
Establishes the theme of friendship and solidarity among the main characters.
“The foundation stone of the new building had been laid by Queen Mary herself, and they thought the Government might have fixed upon some other spot in which to conduct business, instead of keeping them out of their proper quarters.”
The girls resent that the new college was used as a government office during the war, delaying their move.
Provides historical context about the war's impact on the school.
