A Popular Schoolgirl · Chapter
Under the Lanterns explained
The girls of the hostel, barred from tennis for a week, conceive the idea of a fancy-dress dance in the school garden.
What happens
The girls of the hostel, barred from tennis for a week, conceive the idea of a fancy-dress dance in the school garden. With permission from Miss Burd, they prepare costumes with enthusiasm. Ingred, aided by her sister Quenrede, creates a Red Indian squaw outfit. At the dance, Ingred discovers that her brother Hereward and his friend Franklin have infiltrated in disguise. She urges them to leave to avoid trouble, and they reluctantly depart.
Themes in this chapter
Community and Belonging
The dance fosters a sense of shared purpose and joy among the hostel girls and mistresses, strengthening their communal bonds.
Personal Growth and Self-Control
Ingred must balance her enjoyment of the dance with her responsibility to uphold school rules, choosing to send her brother away to avoid trouble.
Characters to notice
- Ingred Saxon
Helps conceive the fancy-dress dance, creates a Red Indian squaw costume with Quenrede's help, and later discovers her brother Hereward in disguise at the dance.
- Quenrede Saxon
Ingred's sister, who ingeniously constructs Ingred's Red Indian costume using sacks, paint, and feathers.
- Hereward
Ingred's brother, who sneaks into the dance disguised as an Early Victorian lady, along with his friend Franklin.
- Nora Clifford
One of the four originators of the dance idea; dresses as 'The Kitchen' with dusters, dishcloths, and a rolling-pin.
- Fil Trevor
One of the four originators; dresses as a Dresden China Shepherdess with ringlets and panniers.
- Verity Richmond
One of the four originators; wears a Dutch costume and helps Ingred with her face paint.
- Miss Burd
Headmistress who grants permission for the dance and plans to attend.
- Franklin
Hereward's friend who accompanies him to the dance disguised as Queen Vashti.
Key passages
“It is an ill wind that blows nobody good, and though Nora, Fil, Ingred, and Verity might chafe at being debarred from tennis for a whole week, their adventure in the garden had given them an idea.”
Even a setback can lead to opportunity; the four girls, frustrated by their tennis ban, turn their garden adventure into a creative plan.
Introduces the origin of the fancy-dress dance idea.
“Great minds generally think in company, and often hit upon the same invention at the same moment, so perhaps all four girls had an equal share in the brainwave.”
The idea for the dance emerged collectively, with each girl claiming credit, reflecting how collaboration sparks creativity.
Highlights the collaborative nature of the idea.
“I’d as soon be a Red Indian squaw!”
Ingred expresses frustration with her limited costume options and jokingly suggests a Native American persona.
Leads to Quenrede's creative costume-making.
“I told you you’d never know me!”
Hereward boasts to Ingred about his successful disguise after she discovers him at the dance.
Reveals Hereward's infiltration and his playful challenge.
