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How to Read “Inez of the Upper IV”
Banner of “How to Read Inez of the Upper iV”The story of Inez de Vries unfolds through a series of documents—some official, pulled from the prim and unforgiving files of Saint Clare’s School for Girls; others are more intimate, drawn from the journals, letters, and scribbled notes of the girls themselves. Some will appear typed and orderly; others will retain the texture of handwriting, rendered in a cursive-style font. Readers are invited to step into the role of archivist, assembling the story from these traces, and imagining the lives that fill the gaps between pages—the tensions, the alliances, the secrets too dangerous to write down. Not everything will be explained. But Inez is watching. And she remembers.
Note: Comments are read and much appreciated. Much as I like reading them on Twitter and Bluesky, I love getting them here and promise to respond. Moreover your responses and ideas are included in the archives and may shift and change the story’s evolution.
Introduction
In which an Old Girl writes, and luncheon invitations become articles of surrender.
Most Fourth Form girls, after receiving a tawsing, a detention, and a caning, learn to keep their heads down. Inez de Vries, however, reached out to her mother. Her account of the affair travelled through the post as a stowaway, arriving at Hollingwood Hall with the stealth of a midnight feast.
Lady Honor de Vries — Head Girl by record, an Old Girl to her fingertips — writes on monogrammed blue paper, her words as precise as they are perilous. They reach Saint Clare’s Headmaster like a perfectly timed volley on the hockey pitch: elegant in delivery, devastating in effect.
Poor Mr. Lewis, veteran and Headmaster, responds on cream bond, summoning every Edwardian circumlocution to defend his flank. He insists that Saint Clare has “ever been jealous of its reputation” — a dangerous protestation, given that his previous post at a boys’ school ended, rather suddenly, and without fanfare. Here there lingers scarcely more than the whisper of a whisper, yet Lady de Vries has contrived to hear it.
The duel proceeds with the utmost courtesy: “your obedient servant” meets “with every good wish,” and each line conceals more sting than any prefect’s detention book. Meanwhile, Inez herself is counselled by Mummy in terms worthy of a field manual: play for position, win gracefully, reform from within, and, above all, guard your hands if you value your skin.
Having trouble with the handwriting? Try the simple font version.
Lady G. Honor de Vries
14 June 1955
Dear Headmaster Lewis,
I hope this letter finds you well and that St. Clare continues to uphold its fine tradition of cultivating young ladies with discipline, character, and common sense. I am writing in connection with an incident involving my daughter, Inez.
I have received a somewhat dramatic letter from her which I have chosen—very deliberately—not to share with our solicitor.
According to Inez, she received not one but two separate rounds of corporal punishment over the matter of a late essay, along with a most curious document involving the exchange of caning for academic credit.
While I understand and respect the School’s codes, I sincerely hope this “contractual” arrangement was not sanctioned at the administrative level. If discipline is now to be treated as a competitive sport, I trust the girls are at least being awarded points and prizes accordingly. I need hardly remind you how swiftly such matters, once whispered, can alter the tone of a Headmaster’s tenure.
Please reassure me that your staff understand the distinction between correction and coercion. Further, that Inez is studying the violin at my request. To strap a budding musician’s hands seems uncalled for, though perhaps your present geography master prizes percussion above bowed instruments.
Yours sincerely,
Honor de Vries née Randolph
P.S. Inez also mentioned interrupting a lesson on the Marshall Plan, which she appears to have found illuminating. If nothing else, thank Miss Clark for me.
Saint Clare’s School for Girls
Stephen M. Lewis, Headmaster
St. Clare’s School for Girls
Headmaster: Mr. Stephen M. Lewis, MA
15 June 1955
Lady G. Honor de Vries
Dear Lady de Vries,
I have received your letter of the 14th and beg leave to thank you for the frankness with which you have conveyed your concern regarding your daughter. Matters of discipline, however trifling in their inception, possess a tendency to acquire contours disproportionate to their cause, and it is therefore incumbent upon me to examine them with the thoroughness one owes to order and the fairness one owes to youth. You may be assured that Inez’s welfare, her advancement in learning, and her growth in character remain of the first importance within this establishment.
The “contractual” paper to which she alluded was the outcome of a well-meant but over-zealous experiment by a member of staff, intended to impress upon the girls the consequence of academic default in terms they might not readily forget. While I acknowledge the ingenuity behind such a device, I have judged it unsuitable to the traditions of Saint Clare, and have directed that it be discontinued forthwith. The staff meeting held earlier today afforded the opportunity for full deliberation, and the matter was, I believe, disposed of to general satisfaction.
Your daughter is, as I trust you know, a girl of uncommon promise, and I hope you will find comfort in the assurance that Matron has examined her hands and discerned no lasting ill-effect.
Permit me further to affirm that Saint Clare has ever been jealous of its reputation, and no school is more vigilant in guarding against those unfortunate misunderstandings which, once whispered, can take on a life far larger than their origin would justify.
It will be my pleasure, should you be in attendance at the Michaelmas Old Girls’ Garden Fête, to receive you there. In recognition both of your distinguished position and of your place among the alumnae of the School, I venture to hope you will do me the honour of joining my own table at luncheon.
I remain, Madam, your obedient servant,
Stephen M. Lewis
Headmaster, Saint Clare School for Girls
Lady G. Honor de Vries
\
17 June 1955
Dear Mr. Lewis,
Thank you for your letter of the 15th. I appreciate your careful attention to Inez’s recent difficulties and your reassurance that Saint Clare remains committed to the growth of both discipline and dignity in its pupils.
Too, I am pleased that you recognise Inez’s intelligence of expression. She has long trusted to her wits—though they have a way of tripping her on occasion. I am glad you know such qualities are to be guided, rather than mistrusted, at Saint Clare.
Saint Clare’s traditions are well known to me; I remember my own detentions under Miss Arbuthnot as clearly as I recall wearing the Head Girl badge. One hopes, of course, that tradition continues to rest upon care and clarity, not upon excess of zeal.
I look forward to the Garden Fête and to the pleasure of taking luncheon at your table. It will be a pleasure to renew old ties as an alumna and lend my support to the School’s reputation.
As I shall also be replying to Inez, may I ask that my letter be placed in her hands directly, without the intervention of staff. Between a mother and her daughter there should remain a measure of unqualified confidence.
With every good wish for the continued order of the School,
Lady G.Honor de Vries
Lady G. Honor de Vries
17 June 1955
[Delivered through school office, unopened by staff]
My darling Inez,
Your last note—however circuitous its journey—reached me at last, by a route that brought to mind old mischief. I was glad to hear your account directly, though rather impressed that it had to arrive by clandestine channels. Do remember, next time: subterfuge is like salt—most effective when used sparingly.
To that end I have had a perfectly civil exchange with your Headmaster. He strikes me as an intelligent man attempting to marshal not only girls, but also a number of slightly bruised egos in blazers.
Now, as to you. I trust you know how proud I am of your wit, your composure, and your refusal to be made dull by discipline. But clever girls must also learn restraint, and subtlety, and—dare I say it—how to allow others to believe they are in charge from time to time. Learn to play for position, my darling.
Knowing Saint Clare of old, I have no doubt your Head Girl and prefects are watching. They always are. Schools run on their quiet power. If you wish to join them one day (as I expect you to), you will need not only to win—but to appear gracious in defeat.
One cannot reform an institution from a corridor outside the Head’s office. One must do it from the inside. With charm. And tea duty.
Affectionately,
Mummy
P.S. I was distressed to hear of your hands being tawsed. If you ever allow them to be treated so again, I shall take a hairbrush to your other end myself.
Saint Clare’s School for Girls
Stephen M. Lewis, Headmaster
19 June 1955
Lady G. Honor de Vries
Dear Lady de Vries,
I am obliged for your letter of the 17th, and I look forward to the pleasure of welcoming you at the Michaelmas Garden Fête.
With regard to your communication touching your daughter, allow me to assure you that any letter proceeding from your hand is conveyed to her directly and without intervention. Such has long been the practice at Saint Clare, and I need hardly say that it will continue.
I remain, Madam, your obedient servant,
Stephen M. Lewis
Headmaster
| Post Title | Date Posted |
| Teaser – “Inez of the Upper Fourth” – a Saint Clare Summer Saga | 21 July 2025 |
| Saint Clare School Justifications or A Few Explanations for the Inconsistencies That Are Absolutely Not My Fault) | 22 July 2025 |
| Waiting for Inez – It’s your own time you’re wasting… | 23 July 2025 |
| Start HERE: Inez’s Detention Essay | 24 July 2025 |
| Inez of the Upper IV – Cast of Characters | 25 July 2025 |
| The Real Motto of Saint Clare’s School for Girls | 27 July 2025 |
| The Staffroom Files Part 1: Inez of the Upper Fourth | 29 July 2025 |
| Notations from Matron’s Logbook: Inez of the Upper 4th | 30 July 2025 |
| Staff Meeting Transcript – Inez of the Upper IV | 2 August 2025 |
| Inez’s Diary, 19 June 1955 | 3 August 2025 |
| Clarissa’s Letters Home or The Jelly Baby Files | 11 August 2025 |
| The Elwood Files – Inez of the Upper IV | 17 August 2025 |
| The Lady and the Headmaster | 23 August 2025 |