By EVA IBBOTSON
Maia raised her eyes to Miss Carlisle and struggled to concentrate. In the room full of fair and light brown heads, she stood out, with her pale triangular face, her widely spaced dark eyes. Her ears, laid bare by the heavy rope of black hair, gave her an
unprotected look.
`The Thames rises in the Cotswold hills,' she began in her low, clear voice. `In a small hamlet.' Only what small hamlet? She had no idea.
The door opened. Twenty heads turned.
`Would Maia Fielding come to Miss Banks' room, please?' said the maid.
Maia rose to her feet. Fear is the cause of all evil, she told herself but she was afraid. Afraid of the future ... afraid of the unknown. Afraid in the way of someone who is alone in the world.
Publisher: Macmillan
Price: $14.95
Age group: 11+
