My spirits sank when, after "preparation," we were ordered up stairs to tea.

How _could_ one enjoy tea poured out by Miss Henniker?
Some people call it the "cup that cheers." Let them take tea one afternoon at Stonebridge House, and they will soon be cured of that notion! I got another bad mark during the meal for scooping up the sugar at the bottom of my cup with my spoon.
"Surely," thought I, "they'll let us read or play, or do as we like, after tea for a bit ?" Vain hope! The meal ended, we again went down to our desks, where sheets of paper were distributed to each, and we were ordered to "write home"! Write home under Miss Henniker's eye! That was worse than anything! I began, however, as best I could.

Of course, my letter was to Mrs Hudson.

Where she was, was the only home I knew.

I was pretty certain, of course, the letter would be looked over, but for all that I tried not to let the fact make any difference, and, as I warmed up to my task, I found my whole soul going out into my letter.