The Girls of Central High Aiding the Red Cross

In Short

This novel follows a close-knit group of high school students in Centerport who unite to support the Red Cross during a busy winter season. As they navigate the demands of their studies, stage a theatrical production, and engage in local festivities, they find themselves entangled in a mystery involving a hit-and-run victim with amnesia and a series of suspicious bank notes. The narrative captures the earnest, service-oriented spirit of the era while highlighting the friction between playful students and their stern, disciplinarian teachers. It remains a charming portrait of small-town camaraderie.

The Story

The story opens on a Saturday evening in Centerport, where Laura Belding, a bright and capable high school student, works in her father’s jewelry store. Her evening takes an unexpected turn when her brother, Chet, reports a troubling incident: a man has been struck by a car in the street, and the driver has fled. Among the crowd that gathers is a girl in a Red Cross veil—Janet Steele—who provides expert first aid to the unconscious man. As the investigation into the hit-and-run begins, it emerges that the victim has no memory of his identity, though he carries a significant amount of cash, some of which is inexplicably marked by "phony" features.

While the police struggle to identify the stranger—whom the students jokingly dub "Mr. Nemo of Nowhere"—the girls of Central High are focused on their own ambitions. They are determined to produce a play to raise funds for the Red Cross, a mission that tests their mettle and their patience. Their primary antagonist is not the mystery itself, but their teacher, Miss Grace G. Carrington, whom they nickname "Gee Gee." Miss Carrington is a strict, humorless disciplinarian who views the students’ extracurricular efforts with skepticism and frequently clashes with the more outspoken girls, like Bobby Hargrew and Jess Morse.

As the rehearsal period progresses, tensions mount. The student cast struggles with a difficult girl named Hester Grimes, who is meant to play a pivotal "dark lady" but lacks the grace and commitment the role requires. Laura, ever the mediator, quietly observes the unfolding drama and senses a connection between the stranger at the hospital, the mysterious hit-and-run, and the social circles of their peers. Through a combination of intuition and careful inquiry, Laura and her friends begin to suspect that their acquaintance, Prettyman "Purt" Sweet, may be involved in the hit-and-run, though the reality is far more complex than a simple act of malice.

The narrative reaches its peak during the staging of the play, The Rose Garden. Just as the production threatens to fall apart due to Hester’s incompetence, a surprise replacement appears—Janet Steele, who delivers a captivating, graceful performance that saves the show. The play becomes a resounding success, raising significant funds for the Red Cross and uniting the town. In the final resolution, the mystery of the stranger is unraveled; he is found to be a man from Osage, Ohio, whose return to his family is facilitated by the students’ efforts. The story concludes with the girls celebrating their charitable victory, even as they jokingly brace themselves for the inevitable return to the classroom under the watchful eye of Miss Carrington.

How It Unfolds

The mystery begins. Laura finds her father’s books do not balance on the same night a stranger is struck down in the street. Chet recognizes the victim as the man who previously passed a suspicious bank note at the store.

A new alliance. The students encounter a mysterious Red Cross worker named Janet Steele, who assists the victim. As the man remains hospitalized with amnesia, the students begin to weave together clues about his identity and the car that hit him.

The production struggles. The girls form a club to produce a play for the Red Cross, facing constant interference from their strict teacher, Miss Carrington. Casting woes plague the group as the arrogant Hester Grimes struggles to master a graceful role.

Investigative efforts. Laura and her friends balance their schoolwork with amateur detective work. They suspect their classmate Purt Sweet’s car was involved in the accident, but they work to uncover the truth without ruining his reputation prematurely.

A successful finale. The play is performed to great acclaim, with Janet Steele stepping in at the last minute to save the production. The stranger’s identity is recovered, and the funds raised for the Red Cross exceed all expectations.

The People

Laura Belding, known as "Mother Wit," is the steady, observant heart of the group. She wants to see her friends succeed in their charitable goals and uses her bookkeeping skills and calm temperament to navigate conflicts.

Bobby Hargrew is the irrepressible, saucy sophomore who acts as the group’s voice of rebellion. She constantly tests the boundaries set by Miss Carrington and serves as a sharp, comedic foil to the more serious adults.

Jess Morse is a loyal, swashbuckling leader of the students. She is deeply invested in the play’s success and often clashes with teachers when she feels their discipline is unfair or unearned.

Janet Steele enters as a quiet, capable presence. Initially an outsider, her poise under pressure and eventual star turn in the play prove her value to the group, ultimately helping to resolve the central mystery.

Miss Grace G. Carrington, or "Gee Gee," serves as the stern embodiment of institutional authority. She wants to maintain high academic standards, but her lack of empathy and rigid nature make her the primary source of frustration for the students.

In Its Own Voice

The narrative establishes the lighthearted, teasing dynamic between the siblings early on:

"What kind of hardware are you trying to hang on me, Mother Wit?" he demanded of his sister.

Laura acknowledges the friction that often exists between students and their educators:

"Oh, I think Miss Carrington is nowhere near so strict as she used to be," Laura remarked to her friends.

The tension of the play's rehearsals reflects the girls' dedication to their charitable mission:

"Right-o, my dear girl," declared Jess Morse with conviction, "let us put aside Gee Gee and listen to what Mr. Mann has to say."

What It's Really About

At its core, the book explores the tension between duty and joy. It argues that young people are capable of profound civic responsibility—evidenced by their tireless work for the Red Cross—provided they are granted the autonomy to organize themselves. The narrative poses a question about the nature of authority: is a teacher’s strictness a necessary safeguard for learning, or a barrier to personal growth? The students find that by "turning a new leaf" and maintaining their own integrity, they can succeed in their goals despite the rigid expectations of their environment.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy vintage school stories will appreciate this look at a bygone era of student life. It offers a cozy, nostalgic reading experience, emphasizing themes of friendship, community service, and the small, personal victories of youth. The book’s warmth lies in its portrayal of girls who are not merely passive students but active participants in their community’s welfare.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period-specific language and attitudes common to early 20th-century juvenile fiction. The slang of the era, such as "Mother Wit," "nicking," and "forkful," may feel dated, and the dynamic between the students and their teachers is deeply rooted in the hierarchical social norms of the time. The characters are somewhat archetypal, serving the plot’s needs rather than exploring deep psychological complexity. If you are looking for a gentle, briskly paced story about the enduring power of teamwork and the charm of a well-staged school play, this book provides a pleasant, undemanding window into a past generation’s idealism.