Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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Eat, Drink and Be Merry For To-Morrow We Diet Every once in a while around ye olde schoole there takes place what might be called a discarding of the superfluous. During this period of ' ' off with the old and on with no new the theme song up and down Branksome halls is ' ' No, No, A Thousand Times No! and everyone ' s aim is to be a mere wisp. In all probability this outburst is prompted by some Romeo mentioning that he Loves you from Coast to Coast. The girls, aroused by this insult to their general outline, decide that something must be done to reduce their individual girths. This is not an idle vow. The process of starvation, com- monly known as diet, begins, accompanied by strenuous and tortuous con- tortions called reducing exercises. Unfortunately, this course is beset with difficulties. They arise some- times in the form of members of the staff who, rather than see you waste away before their very optical membranes, urge you with the greatest emphasis, accompanied by expressions of horror, to indulge in five peas instead of one, or to stretch a point and have a full square inch of potato. As you slyly munch a piece of dry toast, or attempt to slide the dessert to a non-reducer, you are constantly in danger of outside interference. This is very dangerous as it encourages secrecy instead of the frankness and openness usually found around Branksome. It is therefore suggested that reducers be humoured, and if you starve to death you will know better than to do it again. Then, too, Satan, the old rascal, presents himself in the form of delightful concoctions, so many of which exist (sometimes for days) in this fair school — prune whip, mauve fluff, peach or banana surprise, and the like. No matter how much you try to avoid him, he is ever present, giving you playful shoves toward your doom. Other difficulties are those monstrosities (metaphorically speaking) who sit beside you at meals with their ninety pounds and their No matter what I do I just can ' t put on weight, and who make rude remarks like : How do you do it ? I wish I could get fat ! and before your very eyes go about to attain their end by stuffing themselves most shockingly while you must say, I have had sufficient to my suffonsification. It is true that a course in slimming has its compensations. There are always a number of girls who are helpful during this time of hardship; for example, at recess as you sneak out of the office clutching your self-forbidden bun, suddenly, like lightning, it is removed from your eager grasp and you go on your way scarcely knowing that you ever possessed one. We suspect 27

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DAYBREAK IN THE FOREST In summer time First streaks of dawn Wake singing birds And fleet-foot fawn; And forests ring With echoing sounds. The mischievous monk ' With all his chatter, Swings, tree to tree, Mid fuss and clatter ; And kangaroo Makes leaps and bounds. The lion comes Out from his den. Beware ! He doesn ' t count ten, He would not wait For any man To pack his bag Or use a fan. Then too the elephant Lets out his trumpet And gallumps Down to the river ' s edge. To take his Morning shower. The crocodile, A lazy brute. Dives down below To change his suit; Then in his best He comes above. With white kid glove And purple flower; To wait his prey Is his intent. Most animals Look forward to A morning dip In water blue, Or brown, whiche ' er The case may be — They do not mind — In creek or sea, At dawn of day In summer time. SARAH SYMONS, Form I 26

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28 The Branksome Slogan that the day girls retain their sylph-like forms by Night Life. This, of course, is only a wild and debatable guess, but when some of our prefects appear late every morning you can be sure there is a reason. Regarding reducing exercises, we can only say that if you see one of your room-mates or dear friends twisted into something which is practically unrecognizable, attempting to kick the ceiling or rolling around the gym in time to music, just be calm, think deeply for a moment, pull yourself together and realize that there is no need of medical aid, nor has your friend joined the Holy Rollers but merely the ranks of the reducers. Despite the setbacks and opposition which it may meet, the mighty army of lesseners marches bravely on and continues to slighten rotund forms so that friends may say, Who is that walking tooth-pick? and you may be able to answer proudly, Tt is I ! And so for days this struggle continues. Some people suggest that a shorter way to lose weight is to go on a milk and banana diet. This, however, is useless advice because think how silly you would look sitting at the table, peeling a banana and insipidly sipping raw milk. We should have some respect for ourselves as well as for our avoirdupois. A great help in the process of reducing is found in sneaking up to the scales and weighing yourself as often as possible. You do not stay here too long at first lest a feeling of despair and hopelessness seize you. Often a glance is thrown behind in a desperate hope that some prankish school chum has mischievously placed her foot on the scales. When this last hope is dashed, you stagger over to a bench, sit down, and give the matter great thought and consideration. The benefit of this is that your former resolutions, if weakening, are immediately strengthened by what has been seen registered on the scales, and one says to oneself, ' This thing must not go on! It is best in this case to do this little on-and-off-the-scales act before every meal and twice on Friday night when one is free from supervision. There is a question to be asked. Is it wise to stint at meals and then with your filthy lucre to travel gaily over to Queens, plant yourself in a stall, and masticate chocolate eclairs, French fried potatoes, and other foods con- taining too many ' ' calories for your own good? Are you being honest with yourself ? MARGARET PARKS, Form V. MR. NEEDLE AND HIS LOVE Mr. Needle edged over To fix his eyes on Thread; She was a pretty piece, But well above his head. Thread swayed back and forth. Accenting her sylph-like form; Arousing in Needle ' s heart, A feeling akin to storm. Finally she caught his eye And edged shyly towards his head; Then softly gave a silken sigh I ' m your wifely thread, she said. B. MARTIN, Form III B.