Abbot Academy - Circle Yearbook (Andover, MA)

Page 90 text:

Hamlet and Eggs A hush lav over all the class; No breathing stirred the air, And then the calm was broken by The creaking of a chair. We sat and looked with hollow eves Where Chickie kept her station. Yes, girls, she said, I ' m sure ' twill be A nice examination. Tomorrow vou will come at five — The C. P. Senior Classes — Prepared to take an oral test, I hope that each one passes. We will recite respectivelv — Priscilla, pay attention — Upon the works we ' ve read this vear, But what I need not mention. What awful visions filled our minds, And made us cringe and cower! For sure on Hamlet and the Ag We ' d spent full manv an hour. But when the bell had tolled the hour When we were meant to meet, Both crammed and empty, bright and dumb, Each girl was in her seat. And Chickie prancing to her desk Could smack her lips with pleasure. We ' ll start on ' Hamlet ' first, she said, He ' s really such a treasure! Now, will you tell me, Eleanor, Why Hamlet acted mad? Oh, ves, said Ellie, bright with pride, The truth is that he had A common ailment of the mind, Cyclothvmia — the same. It is a form of psychosis. The svmptoms I can name. Oh, pray don ' t bother, Chickie said; This class is as a rule Conducted to teach literature; ' Tis not a doctor ' s school. 86