Girls of the True Blue — Background and Themes

Orderly-Book and Unruly Hearts

The orderly-book functions as both a literal object and a symbol of external judgment. Augusta's dread of Captain Richmond's scrutiny—'he would come on Augusta at that moment of her career as a sort of Nemesis'—reveals how the system of rewards and punishments shapes the girls' behavior. Yet the excerpts show that the marks do not capture the full moral complexity of their actions. Augusta's cruelty to Nancy, for instance, is mentioned but not detailed; the reader sees only her fear of exposure, not the incident itself. This gap between the official record and private motive is a recurring pattern. The girls also manipulate the system: when Mrs. Richmond departs, Augusta immediately proposes to 'take all the fun we can out of' the Asprays, a new set of acquaintances her mother would likely disapprove of. The orderly-book thus becomes a tool for self-justification as much as discipline.

Objects as Anchors of Identity

Several objects in the excerpts carry emotional weight beyond their practical use. Nan's doll Sophia Maria is described as 'battered' and 'horrid old' by Mrs. Richmond, but Nan clings to it as a non-negotiable possession. The doll represents continuity and defiance in a world where the girl has little control. Similarly, the 'frock with crape' (chapter title III) and the 'packet of letters' (chapter XXV) hint at material items that may hold secrets or memories. The illustrations listed—such as 'Nan was perfectly satisfied to sit near the fire holding the kittens' and 'Augusta in terror was hiding behind a bush of laurustinus'—suggest that key emotional beats are staged around tangible things: animals, hiding places, written notes. These objects ground the characters' inner lives in physical detail.

The Asprays and the Threat of the Outside

The Asprays—Flora and Constance—are introduced as a disruptive force even before they appear. Mrs. Richmond leaves without explaining who they are, and the girls are left to speculate. Augusta anticipates 'a splendid time' with these 'brilliant, handsome, gay sort of girls,' while Kitty and Nora suspect they are 'not a bit the sort of girls that mother would like.' The arrival of outsiders tests the household's internal codes. Augusta's eagerness to enjoy their company despite knowing 'they won't suit' Uncle Peter reveals her willingness to prioritize personal pleasure over family harmony. The chapter titles 'The Mystery-Girl' and 'The Bull-Pup' further suggest that new characters bring unpredictable complications. The excerpts do not reveal the Asprays' actual behavior, but the tension around their visit underscores how the closed world of Fairleigh is vulnerable to outside influence.

Readers attentive to the interplay between official rules and private feelings will find the orderly-book a useful lens for tracking each girl's moral trajectory. The excerpts offer only fragments of the full story, but they establish a world where a doll, a mark, or a new acquaintance can become a flashpoint. Pay particular attention to how characters use or resist the language of duty—and to the moments when silence or a sideways glance speaks louder than any entry in the book.

Reading about Nan’s fierce grip on Sophia Maria, I felt that ache of childhood loyalty. It reminds me of the easy faith in comradeship found in The Motor Boys; or, Chums Through Thick and Thin — A Closer Reading. Those old stories never let go of that quiet vow: we hold on, even when the world demands we let go.