Clifton High School - Rotunda Yearbook (Clifton, NJ)

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THE REFLECTOR She was disturbed suddenly by a peal of laughter, followed by the patter of feet across the lawn into the summer house. She sat there not knowing whether to stay or leave. Suddenly she heard a voice choked with laughter and recognized it as Glo Milford’s. Isn’t she a perfect scream? She’s been sitting on that couch for about an hour. Why, she’s absolutely lost. I never saw anyone so out of place. And doesn’t she look comical when she totters across the floor on those heels?” Bobby flushed with anger and sat frozen, resolved to hear everything. Didn’t you scream when you saw the look on her face--------1 mean when Tommy rushed Barry away from her? She looked dazed. I think Barry’s just talking to her because she’s such a curiosity. Gets a kick out of her, I guess.” Bobby stood up defiantly and marched into the house. She strode up the stairs, grabbed her wrap and marched downstairs again and out to the car. Throwing the wrap on the floor of the car, she slammed the door and drove off. Her face flushed with anger, indignant tears in her eyes, she jammed her foot down on the gas and tore through the night till she reached the club house. The place was practically deserted, al- most everybody being at the dance. In a few minutes she was out of the despised frills and into a comfortable bathing suit. I’ll show ’em,” she said aloud. Let them make a fool out of me? ----not Bobby Lowell,” and she stepped out onto the moonlit lawn. She raced across the grass, out onto the pier, and dove into the calm, silvery waters. Coming to the top, she set out with a steady crawl for the float. The faint sound of a car reached her ears, but she paid no attention to it. By the time she reached the float she felt quite calm. But the unpleasant evening had not been forgotten. Stretched out on the float, face to the sky, she lost herself in thought. The faint chimes of a bell brought her back to the present. Eleven o’clock” she mused. Guess I’ll try a few dives, and then home for me.” She stood poised on the board and a second later her hands cut the water without a splash. Good,” said a voice as she came up. Very good,” followed by a laugh, and Bobby glanced around, surprised to look into the laughing face of Barry. Think so?” she questioned cooly, and swung herself up to the float. Barry followed, but she deliberately sat with her back to him. Ain’t Mis- behavin’ ”----Bobby always whistled when she was mad, which was quite often. Wondering at her coolness, Barry merely commented, Pretty tune.” Followed by Barry, she set out for the shore. Great night, isn’t it?” grinned Barry, catching up with her. Great for a swim.” I enjoy swimming alone much more,” glared Bobby, and swung over on her other side. Sixteen

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THE REFLECTOR Three quarters of an hour later Bobby came in, flushed but tri- umphant. Boy, give me a game of tennis any day, rather than a dance.” Mrs. Lowell shook her head. What will ever become of her I don’t know. I hope she’ll enjoy herself at Dotty’s.” Don’t worry, said Mr. Lowell, Bobby enjoys herself anywhere.” Music blared, lights shone, and gaily clad couples spun ’round over the glossy floor. Bobby surveyed the gay scene with a critical air, walked over to the staircase and up to the dressing room. She ran a comb through her tousled hair and sauntered downstairs. Across the floor to a couch against the wall, she made her way. She nodded a greeting to a few of the girls and seemed all unconscious of the attention she was attracting. Dressed in a straight green frock she really looked quite charming but felt ex- tremely uncomfortable. Glo, Patty, Alice and Dotty stood in a group not far away, giggling and whispering and casting amused glances at Bobby. I didn’t really think she’d come,” laughed Glo. The dress is all right, but she looks so uncomfortable. She sits there with her feet tucked under her-----looks afraid to move. I guess if she stood up on those high heels she’d topple over.” Bobby looked their way, smiled grimly, and noticed that they stopped talking. Flushing hotly, she resolved to stick the night out just to show them what she was made of. Good evening, Miss Lowell,” said a pleasant voice, and smiling eyes greeted her. Why, hello, Mr.—er—Wells, isn’t it?” Yes. Barry sounds friendlier, doesn’t it?” Why, yes—and make it Bobby for me,” laughed Bobby. Like all this?” he asked, with a nod at the gay scene. Prompted, for some unknown reason to say 'yes,’ Bobby said it. I just love it, don’t you?” C’mon, old man-------the girls are clamoring for you,” came from Tommy, who had appeared suddenly. Excuse him, Bobby, like a good girl. You know the gang”-------and Tommy rushed off, his excuses trail- ing behind him, before Bobby had a chance to say anything. Well, of all things,” she gasped, and stopped, surprised to find that she had been enjoying herself those few minutes. He’s kind of nice,” she reflected, but I wish he didn’t like all this silly stuff.” Scarcely seeing the spinning couples, she sat there, busy with her thoughts. Bored with the music, she stood up and walked out into the garden. She sat down on a bench outside the summer house, her thoughts far from the scene. Fifteen

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THE REFLECTOR With her usual speed she was out of the water and on her way to the club house. Barry, however, had different ideas on the subject and swung her around by the arm. What’s the matter, Bobby? You seem angry at something.” Bobby stood there, a defiant figure. Don’t think I’m a curiosity you can study any old time, just to get a kick out of something! You can’t make a fool out of me!” Why, Bobby, what are you driving at?” It didn’t take long to blurt out her story. So, I’m telling you right now, I don’t like dancing--1 hate it--- and I hate Glo and Pat and Alice and Dotty-----and I hate you too.” Here a tear escaped and ran down her nose. Why, Bobby, you didn’t believe what that crowd said, did you? I never thought anything of the sort. You’re not comical, and you’re not a perfect scream----1 think you’re a ripping good sport. Let’s be pals ----and don’t cry, please.” Another tear ran down Bobby’s nose, but she hastily brushed it away. I’m not crying,” she grinned, and thrust out her hand. Good sports don’t cry. Let’s be pals.” Her brown hand in his and her brown eyes smiling up at him, they raced to the car. Laughing and out of breath, they threw themselves in. Next to Barry, Bobby somehow felt that she had found a true friend. Barry looked down at her and smiled. Pals?” he questioned. Pals,” whispered Bobby. Grace Wood, June ’30. Faith She sees the best that glimmers through the worst; She feels the sun that is hidden under clouds; She spies the spring thru the winter long; She visions the lark on the leafless tree; Looking forward to the best— This is faith. Alma Fain, June ’33 1 Saw You Smile Today is such a gray day, I saw you smile so brightly, And I am such a sad thing. And I too could laugh lightly— Why was I such a glad thing But that was years ago, dear, Just yesterday? Though yesterday. Emily Oettel, June ’30. Dust that was rose, Dust that was jade— Poets may die But words never fade. V. Grounds, Feb. ’32. Seventeen