VII: Hockey explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Competition and Emulation

  The hockey match against the Clinton Old Girls' Association is a central event, with the team striving to uphold the school's reputation and win despite strong opponents.

• Community and Belonging

  The Rainbow League brings girls together for a common charitable purpose, and the hockey team and spectators share a strong sense of school spirit and mutual support.

• Resilience in Adversity

  Ingred steps up to play when Rachel Grant is called away, and the team remains determined to win despite the setback and the strength of the opposing team.

Characters to notice

• Ingred Saxon

  Joins the Rainbow League, takes Rachel Grant's place in the hockey team as Left Inner, and plays in the match against the Clinton Old Girls.

• Lispeth Scott

  Highly enthusiastic about the Rainbow League, plans toy-making and future projects like a Posy Union.

• Blossom Webster

  Games captain, leads the hockey team, discusses the match with the team, and is the center forward in the match.

• Nora Clifford

  Spectator at the match, writes a detailed letter about the game to her cousin, and teases Ingred about playing.

• Rachel Grant

  Left Inner who receives a telegram about her mother's serious illness and must leave, causing Ingred to take her place.

• Miss Giles

  Games Mistress who escorts the team and spectators to Denscourt and instructs Ingred to fetch her hockey stick.

Key passages

• “Ingred signed her name next morning as a member of the Rainbow League, and received a neat notebook with a Japanese design of purple irises stencilled on the cover.”

  The next day, Ingred officially became a member of the Rainbow League and was given a small notebook decorated with a Japanese pattern of purple irises.

  Ingred's formal joining of the League and receipt of a membership gift.

• “Such a number of girls had joined the League that many willing hands were at work, and at Christmas they hoped to have a sale of the best of the toys in aid of a fund for War Orphans, and to send the remainder to be given away as treats for poor children.”

  So many girls had joined the League that there were plenty of volunteers, and they planned a Christmas sale of the finest toys to raise money for war orphans, with the rest donated as gifts for needy children.

  The League's charitable goal and the scale of participation.

• “To take Rachel's place was indeed an honor. Such a chance did not come often. With huge satisfaction she donned her neat navy-blue skirt, edged with its orange band, and her blouse with its orange collar and cuffs.”

  Being chosen to replace Rachel was a great honor and a rare opportunity. Ingred felt immense pride as she put on her smart navy-blue skirt with an orange trim and her blouse with orange collar and cuffs.

  Ingred's excitement and pride at being selected for the team.

• “There were three dull clashes as their sticks met, and then with a dexterous stroke, Blossom passed the ball to her Right Inner, Janie Potter.”

  After three muffled clashes of their sticks, Blossom skillfully hit the ball to her Right Inner, Janie Potter.

  Description of the opening bully-off in the hockey match.

• “Not able to dribble the ball any farther, and being attacked by a girl wearing the Clinton colors, Ingred hit the ball out to her wing, who struck in to center again.”

  When Ingred could no longer dribble and was challenged by a Clinton player, she passed the ball to her wing, who then sent it back to the center.

  Ingred's play during a key moment in the match.