Further Into the Background
From Blushes 19, continuing the adventures of Gilbert from In the Background It occurred to Gilbert Hoskins — after the most extraordinary and exciting events at Milward’s school — that Hilda Conway, the headmistress, was not exactly the highly principled woman he had always assumed. The visit to the sixth form gym class… the punishment of Amanda over the horse subsequently… had these not, quite possibly been contrived for his benefit? She knew he was wealthy and generous; was she not inducing him to be even more generous towards the school? Not to mention herself? That business about a sick mother. Was it true? He had no way of telling, without getting over-exposed. The funny thing was, he had intended to give her some sort of financial reward for what she had arranged. Doing it very discreetly. Yet, as it turned out, it was she who had set the ball rolling. Did it matter? Perhaps it was better this way. She had divined that ...