1
My School-Days
by E. Nesbit
1897
NOT because my childhood was different from that of others, not because I have anything strange to relate, anything new to tell, are these words written. For the other reason rather that I was a child as other children, that my memories are their memories, as my hopes were their hopes, my dreams their dreams, my fears their fears. I open the book of memory to tear out some pages for you others.
There is nothing here that is not in my most clear and vivid recollection.
When I was a little child I used to pray fervently, tearfully, that when I should be grown up I might never forget what I thought and felt and suffered then.
Let these pages speak for me, and bear witness that I have not forgotten.
MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD.
PART I.
STUART PLAID.
When I was small and teachable my mother was compelled to much travel and change of scene by the illness of my elder sister; and as she liked to have me more or less within reach, I changed schools as a place-hunter changes his politics.
The first school I went to was a Mrs. Arthur's--at Brighton. I remember very little about the lessons, because I was only seven years old, but I remember--to my inmost fibre I remember the play. There was a yard behind the house--no garden and there I used to play with another small child whose name I have forgotten. But 1 know that she wore a Stuart plaid frock, and that I detested her.
On the first day of my arrival we were sent into the "playground" with our toys. Stuart plaid, as I must call her, having no other name, had a battered doll and three scallop-shells I had a very complete little set of pe