The Abbey Girls by Elsie J. Oxenham

To read about the Abbey Girls is to long to join them at school -- to meet the members of the Hamlet Club - to watch the flowery ceremony of crowning the Queen! It is all so charming and natural. A joyous strain of country dancing runs through the pages, but there is also a deeper note of warm helpfulness and achievement.

When Cicely visits the ruined abbey, she determines that 15-year-old Joan should come to Miss Macey's school. But Joan insists that her cousin Joy, desperately needing training for her musical talents, be given the scholarship. But how will headstrong quick tempered Joy cope with the school feud?