[Mr Denny was] one of the weirdest creatures the girls
had ever seen. He was tall and gaunt, with long brown hair falling wildly
into his eyes and on to the wide collar of his shirt. His suit was of brown
velveteen, and he wore an enormous brown bow at his open shirt-throat.
There was something untamed about him, and his vivid pink-and-white skin
added to his unusual looks . . .
"What a weird soul!" exclaimed Grizel.
"He is unusual," said Gisela hesitatingly . . .
Simone considered that he looked "romantic."
"He looked an ass!" returned Joey briskly. "I loathe men
who have their hair bobbed! And why couldn't he wear a decent collar and
tie like other folks?"
. . . "Who was that Greek man he talked about who said music was education?"
[inquired Margia]
"Plato," replied the omniscient Jo. "Why?"
"It would be a jolly good name for him! Don't you think so?"
"Fine! We'll call him that!"
And "Plato" he remained from then onwards.
(Jo of the Chalet School, Chambers, 1926, pp99,104-5)
Dr Ju Gosling aka ju90's ABNORMAL: How Britain became body dysphoric and the key to a cure is available now for just £3.09 for the Kindle or in a limited-edition hardback with full-colour art plates for £20 inc UK postage and packing. |