(11/13) Celebrations at Thrush Green by Miss Read Page A

north and east were plastered with frozen snow. When the sun appeared, low on the horizon for about three hours of the day, it did little to mitigate the intensity of the cold.
    In Lulling the main road was soon cleared, and those leading south to the coast and north to the Midlands had first attention. But Thrush Green and the lanes leading from it remained snow-covered for almost a week, and people were obliged to stay indoors until the thaw arrived.
    This was no hardship for Winnie Bailey, now in her own home and relishing the comfort of her own bed and the ministrations of Jenny and John Lovell. She was making a steady recovery from surgery, and could potter about the house and help Jenny with a little cooking and cleaning, but she was surprised, and secretly ashamed, at the weakness which engulfed her every now and again, and realized that even if the weather had been kindly she could not have gone very far outdoors.
    It was at times like these, she thought, that the telephone really came into its own. Friends rang to enquire about her progress; and among the enquiries was a welcome call from Dorothy Watson inviting her to stay at Barton when the weather allowed, and she felt strong enough to face the journey.
    Gazing at her snow-filled garden through the window, at the sagging branches of the bare plum tree and the ancient cypress which Donald had planted, she felt a wild longing to see and smell the sea again.
    'There is nothing I should enjoy more,' she told Dorothy. 'The very thought of it is wonderfully cheering. I shall look forward to it eagerly.'
    'Then I shall get in touch again,' promised Dorothy, 'as soon as it's possible to travel.'
    After a little more exchange of news Dorothy put down the telephone.
    'She would like to come,' she told Agnes, who had just emerged from the bathroom with her newly washed hair tied up in a towelling turban.
    'Perfect!' said Agnes.
    And when Jenny brought Winnie's supper to her that evening she stood and surveyed her with considerable satisfaction.
    'You look a lot stronger,' she told her. 'Turned the corner, as they say. What's done it, do you think?'
    'The thought of seeing the sea again,' replied Winnie. 'And, of course, good friends.'

    The number of children at Thrush Green school was almost halved during the worst of the snowy weather.
    For two days the school bus was closeted in its garage, and the pupils from outlying parts were joyful prisoners in their homes. There were quite a few children who lived closer to the green, but were equally imprisoned by high drifts between their homes and the school.
    Added to this was a spate of winter coughs and colds which kept children indoors, and John Lovell busy on his rounds. His usual car was sealed in the garage for three days before he and helpers could dig it out, but his brother-in-law, the architect Edward Young, lent him his Land-Rover during the worst of the weather, so that the patients who needed attention urgently could be visited.
    As soon as it was possible to get about again, Charles Henstock paid a visit to Harold Shoosmith.
    'It was about fixing a date for our celebration,' began Charles. 'Alan Lester tells me that his school was opened formally in August a hundred years ago.'
    'That's rather early for us to think of combining our festivities, if that's what you had in mind.'
    'I agree,' said the rector, 'but the official opening of the school, he has discovered, was on 20 September of that year, and that makes things seem easier.'
    'Is he agreeable to sharing festivities?'
    'Indeed he is! And so am I, but how do you feel? I know you want to give full honours to Nathaniel and Octavius. Would you mind if we combined?'
    'Not at all,' said Harold sturdily. 'In many ways it will make everything better. After all, we are all part of Thrush Green, young and old, alive and dead. I'm all in favour of one great day we can share.'
    'Well, I must admit that I am relieved,' confessed Charles. 'You've worked so hard at your