Pandora Garnet and her friends are dismayed and resentful when a new headmistress, Mrs Josselin, brings changes to Bryngarth School, near Llangollan in North Wales, but Pandora’s younger sister, Felicity, welcomes the new, free regime. A further difficulty is that Mrs Josselin has three daughters, who are all missing their beloved co-educational school, Clondale. The middle girl, Jane, is particularly unhappy because Pandora and co are so unfriendly. There are excitements, however, including the International Eisteddfod, and also the camp high on the Berwyns. This nearly ends in disaster but one wild night Pandora finally reconciles hersef to the new headmistress and new ways.