Bryn Mawr College - Bryn Mawr Yearbook (Bryn Mawr, PA)

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16 THE BOOK OF THE CLASS OF NINETEEN-FIFTEEN Edna and I ate our ice cream in silence while K. Sergeant and the others talked, and tried to put us at our ease. I tried to speak in answer to their kind questions of concern, but, overcome by conflicting emotions, I was unable to utter a sound. When, however, Laura Delano, black-gowned, impressive and silent, came to our room an hour later to conduct us to the reading of rules, I had recovered my self-possession and chatted to her pleasantly. I made a brave effort to relieve the strained atmosphere which I found prevailing, and kept on talking promiscuously until the last rule was read. On the whole, the reading of rules, was, to us, a distinct disappointment. None of us was thrilled, most of us were not even impressed. Indeed, when told with ceremony that Freshmen must not use the front steps of Taylor, one member of 1915 was bold enough to inquire: Do you mean the steps in front? After the excitement of this first day we gradually settbd down to quite a normal existence. We soon found time, between teas, for three meals a day— and of a few nights in Freshman year I remember that I slept, f Also, we exercised. Indeed, when 1915 were Freshmen not even hot-water pipes under the hockey field could keep away the signs of real winter from Bryn Mawr. Lest we forget, I quote a contemporary poem in which the Freshman of so many years ago is celebrated : There was a young girl did aspire To Bryn Mawr ' s education, called higher; So striving for poise, Her skates she employs, And she learns on a Flexible Flyer. Susan F. Nichols. After four years of attending college lectures I consider this an intelligent question and to the point. t Of course, I mean this in a moral sense. Physically, I waked, while in Lucile ' s room, under mine, th e rest of Pern. West ' 15 discussed affairs of the soul.

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THE BOOK OF THE CLASS OF NINETEEN-FIFTEEN 15 JJotfnng 3n particular I WAS asked to write anything about Freshman year. Thus in a moment of mis- guided and general enthusiasm I took pen in hand and started to write — everything. But soon I was forced to recognize my limitations: Of course, only one with the finest discrimination for dramatic effect could do justice to Freshman Show. It would take a far keener wit than mine to appreciate all the clever things said at Freshman Banquet. And as for athletics— well, I never did know anything about them, except for shouting on the side lines that The green was going to win! (And we did— sometimes.) In short, I have come to realize that the only thing in Fresh- man year which is suited to my modest pen is— nothing — in particular. I remember that on my first day of college I was in a state of terrified and expectant excitement over the unique form of hazing which I believed would be practiced upon us. How really terrible was the atmosphere which surrounded the mysteriously rumored reading of rules to Freshmen anyone will appreciate who knows that Edna Rapallo was intimidated with me. Indeed, she and I locked ourselves into our room at twilight and lay there tremblingly feigning sleep, f A gentle knock on the door made us both start up fearfully from our beds. What should we do? Edna, always braver than I, approached the door cautiously and listened at the keyhole. A gentle voice was asking us if we did not wish some ice cream. The Sophomores had brought us some from the party they had given the other Freshmen in the hall! At the words ice cream and a party my Freshman heart softened, and Edna mur- mured resolutely something about not missing any of the college life. Thus I brought the key from where it lay hidden under my pillow. It was then we knew that in our life at Bryn Mawr the key had lost its function. 1 liave come to believe tbut tlie editors also reached this conelusion in assigning me my subject. + We learned thus early in our college course that at Bryn Mawr a key is an obsolete institution of no worth. Later we discovered that the Busy Sign, Please Keep Out, Keep Out! etc., etc., are almost as useless.

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THE BOOK OF THE CLASS OF NINETEEN-FIFTEEN 17 Jfresfjman g fjoto, Jfflonologue bp a cene lifter CERTAINLY am glad it ' s all over tonight. I do hope it goes well. Dress rehearsal was such a mess; the make-up was too terrible. Is the haystack ready? Has any- body seen the gold-fish bowl— I mean the crystal globe? That green velvet curtain makes a gorgeous back drop, such depth — there — the curtain can go up. Lib Bailey is a regular beauty; I think she ' s the best-looking girl in college. Tabie is just about making her reputation as that Englishman, such a priceless ass, don ' t ' die know. Down curtain! Bring in Lucile ' s Flemish carved chair there; it and the green velvet curtain give such a je ne sais quoi to this society scene. Up curtain! Those poor society men don ' t know what to do with themselves. Amy Martin has had an inspiration; she just gave a manly stride. I do admire her presence of mind. Waldy is getting away with all sorts of man of the world stuff; her dress suit fits her pretty well too. She comes from Newport; I suppose that helps her. Chris Smith looks as if she had not lived wisely but too well. The butler is just superb, Liz, isn ' t it? She makes me think of Milton: They also serve who only stand and wait. Down curtain! Mary Gertrude, you carry in the barn. Where is that haystack? Is the cow ready? All ready. Up curtain! I adore the way Sarah Feree Diller renders that line of hers, Hiram. Doesn ' t Horny look cute as the little boy? There goes that chorus, dancing right over the haystack. Gee, but Edna Rapallo is fine as the rooster, do look at the feet on her. Looks like a cross between Napoleon and Frank Tiney. Great guns! what ' s happening to the cow? It ' s coming apart in the middle. Somebody get the cow off the stage before its hind legs come off. Look, it ' s just staggering apart. What will Mr. King think? There, that ' s it. Saved! Down cur- tain. Somebody take out the pump; let Gertie carry out the barn; she s the strongest. Let down the rove. Easy there. Those tree-trunks don ' t quite touch the stage, but I