Posted by Prue Eckett on April 27, 2006 at 22:20:24 from 222.153.251.149 user PrueEckett.
In Reply to: Re: Fussing grannies - Susan posted by Pam Adams on April 26, 2006 at 16:40:45:
You and Andrew raised a good point Pam - so I went back to the text in 'Swallowdale'to check.
'Mate Susan...had had a tiring time the day before, looking after her mother and Bridget and nurse and the others and all the small luggage during the long railway journey from the south. She always took charge on railway journeys and was always very tired the next day.'
AR then goes on to say a large number of things would have been forgotten if Susan was not in charge, also she was glad not to also be listening out for announcements of train changes.
As you said, she took charge, however I still feel it was a pretty big load for a twelve year old to take on even in the setting of the 30's, management of two adults and four children plus 'small luggage' on a long distance journey with, presumably, multiple train changes, and that even if she wanted to do it, there's a difference between wanting to do something and a parent allowing it to that extent.
Most definitely I agree her problems in 'We Didn't Mean' had a lot to do with losing control, again a concern with a twelve year old, although not considered in that era.
Glad the point was raised though - time I reread the series.