Anna Head School - Nods and Becks Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

Page 26 text:

leaves, woven together with a rope of cocoanut fiber. Her sleep was calm and sound, but when Solosolo bent over her, he saw that the mat beneath her cheek was wet with tears. He wakened her tenderly, and for a moment the young girl lay sobbing in her lover's arms. Then she whispered a message to her most beloved attendant, and fled into the silver moonlight. The last of her sorrow seemed to drop from her, as they ran like a pair of woodland fauns, filling the air with soft laughter. Once away from the island Solosolo sang, and Falealili joined with her crooning voice, and the waters seemed the silver path of their dreams. Reaching the cave, and securing the pawpaw, Solosolo took in his arms the slender body of his sweetheart, and swam with her under the water. The passage was dark and dangerous, and sixty feet through to the cavern. But Solosolo was clever and striving, he at last reached the cave. It was blacker than a long charred copra skin, this lonely ’ gulf of a cavern, but Solosolo guided her to the soft mats he had laid for her, and there these brown children slept until morning. Falealili was happy in her cave, and every night Solosolo came with taro, cocoanuts, pigeons and breadfruit, and told her of the falai he was building on another island. In time, they left the friendly hiding place and went to live in the beautiful new falai, where they were happy ever after, for the brown children are truly immortal in their land of romance and beauty, as well as in their love. Catherine Stembridge, '28. (Awarded second prise Nods and Becks Literary Contest, 1926.) A Visit to Louisa M0 Aleott9s Home During a whirlwind visit to the interesting vicinity of Boston I became s o satiated with the events of Revolutionary history that in Concord one day I almost missed one of the happiest experiences of my life. I had read ‘‘Little Women” something over four times, so it was with a feeling of happy anticipation that I walked with a small group of people to the steps of Miss Alcott’s home. [20]

Page 25 text:

“Have the young chief, Vaiusu, bring presents, many and rich, for girls are won by presents.” Malifi agreed to try this plan, and the meeting ended. In the beautiful valley where Falealili had retired with her damsels there was dancing and singing and playing. But Falealili was weeping in her falai. Why grieves Falealili? She weeps for the loss of her lover, Solosolo, the upright and manly, the son of a prophet. But he carried no chieftain’s blood, so Malifi banished him southward. O weep not, Falealili, for Solosolo is coming, is coming to make you his, so weep no more, Fair Maiden! Away from his loved one, Solosolo grieved. A friendly messenger one day brought him the news that Malifi, the stone-hearted chieftain, would force his fair daughter to marry Vaiusu, son of a great chief. O beautiful Falealili! O wretched Solosolo! Then he remembered the beautiful, colorful cavern. None other knew of its existence. Ah ! there was a place he could hide her. Should he go after Falealili? Yes, despite all danger he would do it, and hasten, for in one day, in only twenty-four hours, she would become the wife of another. First, he must make the cave ready. He spent some of his precious time fashioning a sailboat and a strong flat paddle. A kindly wind then blew him straight to a grotto near the cavern, where he concealed them. Sixty feet he swam under water then rose in the glorious cavern. An exclamation of awe dropped from his lips, for he had forgotten its powerful beauty. He carried mats for the floor, and cocoanuts and bananas for food. The day was nearly sped when, at last, the great cavern was ready. O beautiful Falealili! O hopeful Solosolo! In the sheltering darkness he crept to the falai of his loved one. How pretty she was in her slumbers, with her hand-maidens all about her! Her long wavy hair lay in loose tangles around her head and soft brown shoulders. Her only cover was a thin blanket of glossy pappia [ 19]

Page 27 text:

It is a shabby brown house, set in a wide yard ’mid many trees, among which is old “Ellen Tree,” the Alcott girls’ favorite make- believe steed. After exploring the beautiful shady yard, we entered a narrow hall, to the left of which is a large living room. Here the fire- place is the center of attraction, for near it stands Mr. Alcott’s book- table, his wife’s easy-chair, and Beth’s footstool. In the corner rests the famous “sausage pillow” with which poor Laurie received many a pummelling from the four gay sisters. At the head of the stairs is Beth’s bedroom, which was once occupied by the inimitable Amy as evidence of which the naughty child had ornamented both walls and woodwork with pencil drawings of all kinds. There are angels in flowing robes, and handsome men with remarkably perfect noses, as Amy’s drawings were her only con- solation for her own turned-up little nose. All these works of art show the remarkable talent which was Amy’s. To keep curious fingers from marring them they have been covered with small pieces of plateglass. In the upper hall stands a glass cabinet, in which are preserved the fearful and wonderful costumes which the girls used for their dramatic performances. With the costumes wrere programs of their shouts supplied by a sympathetic and good-natured printer. We had yet another flight of steps to climb. Who does not remem- ber Jo’s literary attempts in the garret, with only a pet rat for com- pany? We looked upon her old writing desk and pen with some reverence, thinking of the patient woman whose genius gave so much to the world. Every article of furniture is some reminder of the beautiful family life that the worn house knew; even Beth’s piano stands in the parlor, and there are portraits of those cherubs of childhood. “Daisv” and “Demi.” When I left the place it seemed as though I had talked with every person who lived there, so marked was the place with the homey atmos- phere that also pervades the writings of the family’s most lovable and talented member,—Louisa M. Alcott. Ruth Stogsdill, ’27. I 21 1