Polly's senior year at boarding school

In Short

This narrative follows Polly Pendleton and her close-knit circle of friends as they navigate their senior year at Seddon Hall. Between the pressures of academics, the excitement of basketball championships, and the interpersonal dramas inherent to boarding school life, the girls work to define their identities and solidify their bonds. It is a quintessential turn-of-the-century school story, capturing the innocence, idealism, and structured social hierarchies that defined the genre, providing a nostalgic look at a period when school spirit and personal character were the primary measures of success.

The Story

The academic year at Seddon Hall begins with the familiar ritual of return. Polly and her inseparable friend Lois arrive as seniors, their new maturity signaled by their long skirts and piled-up hair. The school year unfolds as a series of seasonal milestones, beginning with the intense competition for the basketball team. Polly finds herself appointed captain, a responsibility that carries both prestige and the weight of managing team dynamics. Her leadership is tested when a quiet, dreamy student named Fanny Gerard, initially dismissed by the inner circle, surprises everyone with her athletic talent, forcing the seniors to re-evaluate their snap judgments.

As the months progress, the students navigate the typical rhythms of boarding school: the thrill of a winter straw-ride, the shared misery of a mumps outbreak, and the anxiety surrounding final examinations. Outside the classroom, the girls maintain a vibrant correspondence with their friends from home, particularly the boys at neighboring military and college programs. These connections—and the occasional misadventure, such as a stalled motorcar during a visit to the Harvard stadium—provide a bridge between their sheltered school environment and the wider world.

The social fabric of the school is occasionally strained by misunderstandings and petty rivalries. A particularly tense moment arises when a student named Maud disappears during a winter outing, prompting a frantic search that highlights the camaraderie of the senior class. Throughout these events, the girls perform, compete, and study under the watchful eyes of their mentors, particularly the school’s administration.

As graduation approaches, the atmosphere shifts from the playful camaraderie of the autumn to the reflective, slightly melancholic tone of the spring. The senior class prepares a performance of The Merchant of Venice, a major undertaking that requires them to display poise and dedication. The climax of the book arrives with the commencement exercises, which serve as both an celebration of their shared history and a recognition of the impending separation as each girl prepares to move on to the next chapter of her life. The narrative concludes with the successful completion of their final exams and the symbolic closing of their time at Seddon Hall, leaving them with the satisfaction of having fulfilled their potential as students and as young women of character.

How It Unfolds

The return to tradition Polly and Lois arrive at Seddon Hall to begin their senior year, noting how much they have changed since their freshman days. They settle into their room, debating the display of college banners that symbolize their ties to the boys back home.

The rise of a teammate Polly earns the captaincy of the basketball team, but the group is initially skeptical of their classmates’ abilities. When Fanny Gerard unexpectedly demonstrates exceptional skill on the court, the seniors learn the value of looking past superficial impressions.

The winter of shared experiences The season brings a festive straw-ride and a sudden wave of mumps that forces the girls to create their own entertainment. These disruptions reveal the school’s internal social hierarchy and the resilience of the girls’ friendships.

A test of character The disappearance of a classmate during a cold winter day turns a routine school activity into a moment of genuine alarm. The search for Maud forces the girls to act with bravery and focus, setting aside their differences for the common good.

The final curtain The senior class mounts a production of The Merchant of Venice, which tests their collective resolve and stage presence. The book concludes with the formal ceremonies of graduation, marking the end of their formative time at Seddon Hall.

The People

Polly Pendleton is the steady, capable heart of the group. Her primary goal is to maintain the harmony of her inner circle while succeeding as a student and athlete; she matures into a reluctant but effective leader who grows increasingly aware of the influence she exerts over younger girls.

Lois Farwell, Polly’s confidante, balances artistic inclinations with a deep devotion to her friends. She is often the one to mediate conflicts, though she occasionally finds herself distracted by her own romantic sentiments, which she works to keep private from the group’s intense scrutiny.

Betty is the outspoken, humorous member of the trio. She serves as the group’s grounding force, providing sharp, often humorous commentary that cuts through the sentimental nature of school life. Her growth is marked by a shift from being a spectator of drama to becoming a loyal protector of her friends.

Fanny Gerard is the outsider whose journey is the most transformative. Initially quiet and misunderstood, she struggles against the dismissive attitudes of her peers, eventually finding her voice—and her place—through her talent for basketball and her unexpected gift for singing. Her evolution forces the others to confront their own prejudices.

In Its Own Voice

"There was a marked change in the two girls' outward appearances--their hair was up and their skirts were longer, their whole bearing was older."

The narrator introduces the seniors at the start of the book, signaling their transition from youth to young womanhood.

"Fanny lives in a most wonderful story book house."

Polly writes a letter home describing the Southern charm of Fanny’s family estate during a holiday break.

"Eight little germs lurked in a cup / All on a pleasant day."

The students pen a whimsical poem for their school paper to poke fun at the mumps outbreak that temporarily sidelined their class.

What It's Really About

At its core, this story explores the formation of identity within a structured, single-sex environment. It posits that a student’s true education happens as much through social interaction, team sports, and the management of interpersonal dynamics as it does through textbooks. The book argues for the importance of "character"—a term used frequently to describe the necessity of courage, loyalty, and fairness in the face of both minor school-day annoyances and larger, more frightening challenges. It asks whether one can maintain a sense of self while meeting the expectations of a social collective, ultimately suggesting that the bonds forged through shared trial and triumph are the most enduring legacies of the school experience.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy historical depictions of early 20th-century American life will find this book a charming, if idealized, window into the past. It captures the specific language and social codes of the era, from the preoccupation with college loyalties to the formal way the students interact with their teachers. Those interested in the evolution of juvenile fiction will appreciate the emphasis on "healthy" school spirit and the way the author uses the boarding school setting to manufacture both conflict and growth.

However, a modern reader should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes, particularly regarding class, regional stereotypes, and the somewhat limited domestic aspirations of the girls. The pacing is deliberate, reflecting the slow, seasonal rhythm of the school calendar, and the dialogue can occasionally feel stilted to contemporary ears. Nevertheless, the warmth with which the author treats the friendship between these girls remains universal. It is a quiet, gentle read that focuses on the small, meaningful moments—the shared secrets in a dorm room, the excitement of a telegram, and the nervous energy of a school play—that make the senior year feel like the most significant time in a young person's life.