Free The Whole Truth by Kit Pearson

curling moustache. Noni looked much more relaxed, with her long hair around her shoulders, always smiling or laughing at the camera.
    Seeing Una through the years was like gazing into a mirror. She looked almost exactly like Polly, except that Una’s expression was often sullen and rebellious. The last photograph was of Una dressed in a coat and hat and carrying a suitcase.
    “That’s when she was leaving to visit Blanche Tuttle in Winnipeg,” said Noni. “She was just seventeen,” she added tightly.
    Polly closed up the album. “Are there any more?” she asked.
    “That’s all,” said Noni.
    “But what about my parents’ wedding?” asked Polly.
    Noni looked away. “I’m sorry, hen, but we didn’t get around to taking any photographs at the wedding.”
    If only there had been a photo of Daddy! Polly didn’t have any of him. There were a few albums in their house in Winnipeg, but no one had thought of packing them.
    Noni’s voice trembled. “Every night I lie awake and think about Una and Gilbert. You never stop missing people, Polly—but you know about that. And now I have you and Maud to love.”
    She took Polly’s hand. “Let’s think of something more cheerful than missing people. Do you know what I do when I get too sad? I think about all there is to
learn
in this world—poetry and flower names and songs, all the things I want to paint. But enough about me! Tell me, hen, is there anything special you’d like for your birthday?”
    Her birthday! Polly had completely forgotten that next Thursday she would turn ten. She shook her head. The only present she wanted was Daddy—and that was impossible for anyone to get.
    “Well, you let me know. Now, I must get up. You can help me pick some flowers to welcome Maud.”
    The day went by far too slowly. Polly helped Noni pick flowers. She swept out her and Maud’s bedroom, and helped Mrs. Hooper make a chocolate cake. After dinner she sat on the verandah, willing Maud’s boat to appear.
    Finally she and Noni walked to the wharf. The sky was streaked with pink as the steamer glided around the point. As it grew nearer, Polly spotted Maud standing on the deck. She was in her uniform, waving madly.
    “Maud, Maud!” called Polly, jumping up and down.
    A few minutes later Maud’s strong arms were around her.
    In ten days Maud had become as jolly a schoolgirl as a character in one of her books. All she talked about was St. Winifred’s.
    She told Polly every detail about the five other girls in her dorm: Mary, Sylvia, Edith, Sadie, and Ann. “Sadie’s such a brick—we’re already best friends. She’s really good at games and she thinks I can get on the hockey team—isn’t that nifty? Her parents live in Duncan and she has a horse! She’s going to ask me there for part of the Christmas holidays—do you think Noni would let me go?”
    They were walking along the beach. Polly picked up a stone and hurled it into the water. All week she had hoped that Maud would dislike St. Winifred’s so much she’d decide not to go back. But now Maud seemed to belong to her school more than to Polly.
    “Some of the matrons are really grumpy, but our dorm has the nicest. Her name is Miss Jacob and she’s in love with a man who works in a store—she sees him every Sunday. Miss Jacob braids myhair for me. Oh, and Poll, the Guppy had me for tea in her study on Wednesday afternoon! Four other girls came too. Edith says that if you’re asked for tea, it means you’re one of her favourites! Imagine me being asked so soon, and I was the youngest! Two of the others are prefects! And I’m going to have special Latin classes with the Guppy because I’ve never taken it before. She’s really pleased with how I’m doing in my other courses, though.”
    Polly decided she hated the Guppy. “Don’t you think she’s kind of bossy?” she asked.
    “Not at all! She’s strict, but that’s because she’s helping us live up to St. Winnie’s ideals. Some of the day girls