BELINDA’S NAME.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19597, 8 June 1935, Page 16 (Supplement)

BELINDA’S NAME.

Her name was Belinda. • It had always made people smile-r-Belinda Mary Norris. The last part was not so bad, but Belinda! It had been her grandmother’s name, so Aunt Jemima said; and now Aunt' Jemima was sending her to a real school for the first time and Belinda was sure the girls .would all laugh at her. Belinda surveyed herself in the glass as she struggled with her coat. At any rate, she thought, she did not look as much like a Belinda as her aunt did a Jemima. She looked more like a—a sudden thought made her pause. Why couldn’t she "Belinda, do hurry upl” Aunt Jemima, who loved punctual•liy, ©poke crossly. Belinda, still thoughtful, followed her aunt into the street. - If only she could manage it 1 I-n a few moments they entered the school, and were at once shown into tho headmistress’s study. "So this Is Belinda."

Miss Curtis smiled down at her, her eyes twinkling—with amusement, Belinda felt sure.

■ "Now, I 3hall want your full name, age, and address," she went on. "Oh, I can give you those," broke In Aunt Jemima. "May not Belinda Join her classmates at once?" Miss Curtis looked at her in surprise, but opened the door and called to a schoolgirl passing along the corridor.

"Joan I Here is a new classmate for you—take her along .and introduce her to the others, will you?" Joan surveyed Belinda with a cheery grin.

"Easy enough to do if I knew your name I” she laughed. “Mine’s Joan Baxton. What’s yours?” Belinda took a deep breath. "Mary Norris,” she answered, and coloured furiously. “Now we know where we are," said Joan cheerfully. “There’s no need to

be nervous , you know,” silo added. ‘‘We’ve .only sol a few minutes before the bell goes, so come on.” She raced Belinda towards a group of girls nearby. “This is Mary Norris,” she announced breathlessly “Edna Mayllcld,

June Crawford,

Stella Burton, Phyllis Crown,” she * gabbled. “Now you know this lot, Mary." Belinda sighed thankfully. If slic could only make • friends before her real name" was discovered! At that moment a bell, clanged. "Come on, Mary. That’s the bell for prayers," and .loan led (lie way Into school. As they were crossing the main corridor, Miss Curtis appeared and beckoned to Belinda. "How are you getting on Belinda? Is Joan looking after you?" Belinda mumbled her thanks, and then ran back to Joan, "That’s the worst of the Curt," Joan complained, "she always fusses over new girls like a hen with a new hatch of chicks. By the way, whatever did she call you? It didn’t sound a hit like Mary. Why, whatever is wrong?” Belinda had changed colour and was scarlet-faced.

*1 —oh, I expect Heads often get mixed over the names of new girls," she stammered. “Let us go to the Hall, shall we?”

Joan looked at her curiously, but said no more.

After prayers, they tried back io their classroom.

"There is an empty desk next to mine, Mary,” said Joan. “You’d better sit there until Miss Rayford calls the register.” Calls Hie register! Of course! Miss Rayford would call out "Belinda Norris" and everybody would hear. At that moment Miss Rayford walked in. Alter a cheery "Good morning, girls!" she opened the register.

“All present this morning, Nancy? she asked the class prefect.

"Yes, Miss Rayford—and one new girl," added Nancy. Miss Rayford's pen slipped rapidly down Ihe list, “Oh yes," site said, “I- see your name is already entered,” and smiled at Belinda, who could scarcely believe her good fortune. Stic was sfill safe. "Now get your book out ready for Miss Turner,” ordered Miss Rayford, and left Hie room. "Miss Turner takes us for maths.” explained .loan. "She's u terror for work and it's geometry this morning.” There was a clatter of desk-lids as the class collected pencils,, rulers, compasses, etc., for their lesson. The door opened suddenly and a severrJ coking lady marched to the dash In

(By Lena L. M. Moore.)

front of the class. “Page 29. Theorem 13. Nancy, como to tho board and- ’’ She stopped suddenly as her eye fell on Belinda. “Oh, a now girl. What is your name?” Belinda coloured and hesitated. Miss Turner grew impatient. “Are you deaf, child ?’’ Joan looked at-Belinda wouderingly. 41 Go on. Say Mary, you duffer,” she whispered. "Mary, you duffer," blurted out Belinda nervously. A dead silence ensued, then one or two girls giggled. BBelinda stared in horror at Miss Turner, while Joan jumped up to the rescue. - “It was my fault, Miss Turner. I told her—" “Thank you, Joan," said Miss Turner coldly. “ When I require your assistance I will ask for It. Now, Mary, suppose you continue with the proof and kindly answer at once when you are spoken to in future." Belinda breathed a sigh of relief and easily finished the proof. Unfortunately she forgot to answer to her name several times during the lesson, and Joan and the others looked at her wonderingly. “ I say, Mary !’’ At break Joan broke In on Belinda’s thoughts. "What ■made you so nervous in answering your name this morning ? " Belinda blushed. “I—well—l—l. expect it was just not being used to school," she stammered. Joan and the others eyed her curiously.

Still, that shouldn’t prevent your answering to your own name,” remarked Phyllis Crown. ” You must be well used to hearing that.” ■ Belinda looked uncomfortable, and Hiere was a strained silence. “ Er —Mary—-you don’t mind if we join in the netball, do you ? ” asked Joan presently. “ if you watch, you /may learn how to play.” Belinda watched unhappily. She had only made Joan and the others curious and suspicious. After morning school Belinda was following the rest when the class mistress called her back to question her about her work, and it was some minutes. bciore she was free to go. By mistake she entered the wrong part of the cloakroom and was about to go to the other ‘end when she heard voices and tier own name mentioned. The intervening clothes screened Belinda from the speakers. " Queer girl—. Mary Norris,” sa id a voice.

"Queer? Yc-es," answered Joan’s voice, ‘I think there Is some mystery' about her. She acts so strangely when anybody asks her her name." I suppose it ■is her name ?’’ queried the-first voice. “It Isn’t assumed, Is It —as you read in books, you know," the speaker ended vaguely. “ I’m sure Miss Curtis didn’t call her Mary," said Joan thoughtfully, "it sounded a longer name somehow. I know! 'Let's get back early this afternoon and look in the class register and see I ”

(To be continued next week.)