Part of Series
Phyllida is one of seven sisters to attend Queen Anne's School, where they are known as the "long family of Shortt," responsible for a list of escapades to their credit and discredit. During the summer holiday, Phyllida tries to rescue a swan being hurt by a spoiled girl called Queenie, soon to be a student at Queen Anne's. The rescue mission ends badly, with Phyllida bitten by a dog and Queenie pushed into a river. However, the holidays conclude happily with the wedding of the eldest Shortt girl, Pam. Back at school, Phyllida likes beginnings so enjoys the first few days in the third form, and is delighted to see old friends and enemies. Naturally, the annoying Queenie turns up in her form, accompanied by a shabby and shy girl Violet. Phyllida's initial dislike of Queenie is renewed but her sympathy is awakened by Violet's discomfort. Will new girl Queenie ruin the term for Phyllida?
Author
Born in Leamington Spa, in 1885, British children's author Constance Evelyn Smith was the daughter of Henry Bartlett Smith, high bailiff of Warwickshire County Court, and his wife, Eleanor Langford. She was educated at Leamington High School (now known as the Kingsley School), and at Royal Holloway College, where she graduated with first class honors in English, in 1907. She taught at Glasgow High School from 1909-1923, until ill health forced her into an early retirement. She turned to writing at this period, and edited plays and collections of poetry, in addition to publishing her girls' school stories. She died of pneumonia in 1928. Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
