“I can’t pretend that I particularly enjoyed the sensational aspect given to the story by most of the newspapers,” she remarked, “but I do realize how much more difficult things would have been for us if we had had to deal with a whole battery of reporters. As it is, we have managed to keep them all out of the school, thanks to the joint efforts of yourself and the police, and have retained some measure of control over the stories that have appeared. I am only sorry that you can’t stay longer to defend us, but Miss Callaghan has explained the position to me, and I do realize that you have commitments you must stick to. I want to say again how grateful we are, and if ever I can be of any help to you, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

Lindsay went on to ask about the future of the school and the playing fields fund. The headmistress looked troubled for the first time since Saturday’s horrors.

“I am very much afraid that we’ll have to give up the idea of saving the playing fields—and concentrate instead on saving the school. Already, seventeen girls are being withdrawn, and I fully expect more to follow. One can scarcely blame the parents. I hope the police will deal swiftly with this business so we can reassure parents that their girls are in safe hands. I care about this school, Miss Gordon. I very much hope that we shall not be destroyed by what has happened.”

Lindsay felt the strength of the other woman’s determination, and it stayed at the back of her mind as more than just an angle for the news story of the day while she went for a walk on the ridge that Monday morning. She looked down on the privileged panorama of Derbyshire House Girls’ School and resented the fact that Pamela Overton had infected her with her determination. She knew that whether she liked it or not, she, too, was in some degree involved with the school. She realized that in spite of herself she cared what happened to it.

8