Saint Ursula Academy - Scroll Yearbook (Toledo, OH)

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Double Trouble T HAD been a hard day of constant driving for miles and miles along the smooth highway that skirted Lake lvlichigan, and Bill Hardy wond- ered wby he had allowed himself to be talked into this trip by his good friend, Father Tom. The priest had said that it was a must trip for himself and he wanted company. And now Bill and Father Tom found themselves, of all places, in the guest roo1r1 of a convent. The occasion was a f'Clothing on the morrow. Father Tom was holding forth on vocations. Now Bill, this girl who is going to receive the veil of a sister in religion tomorrow has found her voca- tion. That simply means that she is ac- cepting the invitation from the Lord to serve Him as a religious. That is what we mean by a vocation. She might just as well have been called to the married state. She is no different from any other girl of her age. She likes to dance, and go to movies, and to do the things that girls like to do, but she is giving some of these up in order to serve fiod better. llflass over early next morning and Father Toni deep in his prayers, Bill eyed the neighboring lake and decided he would have time for a swim before the ceremony. As he was driving the car out of the enclosure to negotiate the few blocks to the lake, he noted a second car, a big one, just getting into motion. Then a voice, the owner of which he could not see, said: Now Sister! You know Mother' won't like your going swimming before the ceremony, and you simply must be theref' And a voice just as pleasant cooed: 'fYes Sister, but what lklother doesn't know won't hurt herf' You ought to know, 'Sister' dearf' and the big car swept on. Bill saw that the driver of the car was a very -attractive young lady who did justice to the Jantzen she was wear- -JANET SHEPERD '45 ing. liill's mind was full of misgivings. He knew that lN'lother was the title of the religious superior. The warning voice had sounded tearful, if not terri- fied. The warned was Hippant. On the diving raft Bill tried to be friendly. Conversation was kept in a very broad and safe channel. He was interested. More he was excited to think that this lovely young creature should be entering a sisterhoodg and, most of all, perplexed that she should be taking this French-leave for a l-ast swim before her induction. An hour later Bill watched the cere- mony from a pew in the rear. For him it was long and tedious. The sermon was given by a dignitary who was offer- ing a solution for the problems of the world the girls were leaving. The sisters-to-be were going through their parts in seared if sacred tones. 'liben Bill saw his swimming partner of the morning, kneeling before the ina vesting prelate. ln her robes she was more beautiful than ever. Regret swept over him, This was too much. He got out and had a smoke. Si? Cl? ill' Adieus were being made. Bill was waiting for Father Tom to get into the car, when quite by accident-if it were an accident-the big car of the morning hooked his bumper. Saying something to himself that sounded like a prayer, and wasn't, Bill strained to unhook the bumpers. He was amazed for the last time that day to see that the driver of the car with the bumper hooked was his swimming partner of the morning. Entirely unsolicited she piped up: Ulf it will clear up anything for you, that was my twin you so stared at while she was taking the veil. This kindly lady who is holding hands with my father in the back seat, and who didn't catch me this morning, is my Mother. Father Tom rode home with the par- ents of the twins, and in the priest's coupe rode Bill and Sister Jantzen. 6 THE SCROLL

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Dottie Shaw danced up with a red- headed carpenterls mate. How're you doing now, Paddy? l'Dottie, isn't he cute? Paddy said, nodding toward her partner, f'Isn't he special stuff? They danced on, jacques, as he had introduced himself with gratifying sim- plicity, ventured a few intricate steps. Itls getting even better, Paddy mused happily. They stood by the punch bowl, watching the merry couples dance around the great tree. His eyes were glowing just as though he had never seen a Christmas tree before, and for all Paddy knew, he hadn't. Noreen Web came up, smiled at Paddy, then fired a volley of French at Jacques. He re- plied affably in the same strange language. Why did l stick to Latin this year? Paddy quizzed herself fiercely. Julius Caesar never attends the U, S. Cl! She collected her wits suddenly, thrust- ing a cup of punch into jacques' handf' NIerci he treated Paddy to a smile that he never showed Noreen, and it excluded her completely, and she wondered off. You!re a little darling, do you know it? P-addy said, knowing, of course, that Jacques couldnlt understand her. Then lylrs. Garland, senior hostess, ran to Paddy's side. f'Patricia,'! she smiled, you've been so good with this young man. I know you'll be the one to take care of the very lonesome one standing by the door. It's Christmas night, you know, dear, and we donlt want to see any lonesome sailors, do we dear. Let me introduce Pierre to you and I'll get another partner for your friend. Oh, thank you, Patricia, you are a dearf! What a drastic switch! Paddy moaned silently, as she danced with Pierre, who insisted on making a steady and dreadful conversation. And then she saw with great pain that Lucille was dancing with Jacques. Not just waltzing but ilirtatiously chatting with him, smiling and laughing- Hlt wasnlt fair! Lucille was a United States girl tonight, and even if she did know a little French-Heyf' Paddy reasoned. I didn't know that Lucille had a supply of French jokes! What ever were they laughing at? At last her dance with Pierre was over and she delivered him to Noreen, who, she claimed, would make a far better partner for him. She sat on the sofa and again she felt the light tap on her shoulder. Let's dance, cookie ? -asked Jacques in perfect English. 'fFor Pete's sake! Paddy stood up with her knees knocking madly. Then jacques began to laugh. At first, Paddy was tempted to give him the walkaway, but soon she was laughlng too. After that they talked about every- thing from soup to nuts. Then jacques took her hand. Am I forgiven?!' He wanted to know. I think so, but, you might have told me in the beginning that you lived six years in the States before joining the Navy of your native landf! Well, unlike your big sister, you didn't try to speak to me at all. You were so different, so I decided to have some fun with you. And you've been nice about it, Paddyf' Lucille was honking impatiently. Thanks , Paddy murmured as she turned to leave, Bye, Jack. 'fFirst,'! he said, stepping closer, NI want to tell you that I think you're a darling, too, So long, Paddyf! From the moving car she waved to the young sailor with the red pompoms until he was lost from sight. Then she faced her girl friends, who all began to sing the lNIarseillaise. And Paddy sang too. THE SCROLL 5

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If X ,fp f fCk X X ' f ff a The Christmas Star The other stars when they went out every night, Made rne stay horne, because I was too bright, .flnd when theyld play games on the fola- lowlng day, Tlzeyld say I was too big and just got in the way. 1 For thousands of years I sat alone on a shelf, Just feeling sorry for rny big, clumsy self, Then one day when the others had gone off on a spree, A band of angels earne looking for me. Above an old stable they placed rne to adorn The place where the Son of God had been born, And all the little stars rushed from afar To honor rne, the Christmas Star. -PATRICIA CARSTENSEN '45 f