Cumnock School - Chronicle Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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L I T E R A T U R E Oh, yes, oh, I would, I-I . . . Tears were fast assembling, ready to charge, fording their way until the very holding them back caused a tight contracted feeling in her throat. I am very glad you will be our chairman, Sophie. With this statement jessica led her little flock back to the sitting room. Closing the door like a person in a daze, Sophie walked to the bed and sat down. All inside she was beating with joy. In her whole miserable life she had never been at the head of anything .... They liked her, they must like herl Didn't they want her to be their chairman? Had she at last found something to fit into rather than to cling desperately to the outside, always with that terrorized feeling that at any moment she might be forced to let loose her grip and fall far down into the depths of loneliness. All the awful lonely years of her life marched through her mind, gloating tyrants, that had held her their prisoner for so long. But now she was free. Was she to be happy as other people were? The almost forgotten tears, feeling their neglect, stormed over the walls, splashing dangerously into Sophie's lap. These tears sparkled, for they were the liquid expression of her joy. Sophie's new responsibility stimulated her into an active being. She no longer dreaded her long days. The hours rushed, carrying with them many tasks, Sophie didn't realize that so many things could be accomplished in one day. From the top floor to the basement, madly she dashed all day from morning until night. From the first the girls refused to cooperate with her, but from an un- known source there sprang up in Sophie a self-assurance which amazed her as well as the girls. She had sat down that night after election and formed her plan. At the time she scarcely realized what she was doing, but she had mastered hrself and carried out her plans. Now the baskets were finished. A few minutes before they were to be called for, Sophie went into the back room of the office, where her crisp baskets stood. She inspected each one separately. When she had looked at and fondled the last basket, she had a feeling of achievement which at first shocked her. Half talking aloud to her- self she straightened it all out. She had without any assistance from the girls carried out her assignment perfectly. Sophie had not noticed the neglect of 89

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L l T E R A T U R E The girls' mouths popped open, releasing quick gasps. They knew jes- sica had a plan, but they never dreamed she would think of a thing like this. A guilty conscience spoke up: But-but if the baskets aren't done nicely, why think how awful Miss Bates will feel. jessica snapped at the insignificant child ,... lt'll just serve her right. l've done beautifully every year. Why should she get fussy about an old election? No, baskets or no baskets, we'll show her what we think of her idea of elections. Think what sport it will be to see Sophie floundering under the sudden responsibility. lt was settled. The fun was about to set in. Like a pack of ravenous wolves the girls streamed out of the sitting room door and pounced upon the door of Number Sixteen. They knocked. Sophie timidly acknowledged the sudden, frightening interruption and opened the door. Her heart was torn between sinking with fright and soaring with joy when she saw that all of the girls were swarming to her room. jessica sweetly said: Sophie, we girls have just held our election. Like lead Sophie's heart sought out her shoes. They had not even both- ered to wait for her vote. Unmoved by Sophie's crushed expression, jessica raced on: All of the girls have reached a decision. You are to be chairman! Sophie had been so completely disheartened that jessica's words failed to penetrate her miserable sadness. Raising her authoritative voice jessica repeated her statement: Sophie! You are chairman! Wake up. lt'll take more than a dead head to handle all of this responsibility. Think of the honor, Sophie-YOU chairman! The little blood that had remained in her head flew against her tem- ples, sending flashes and sinking feelings all through her body. Her cheeks burned and throbbedg all in a minute her saddened numbness had burst into a happy living flame. She could make no reply, but stood propped against the door. Well, Sophie! Really if you would rather not . . . 88

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'LITERATUVR E the others, for her pleasure in her own achievements was so wonderful that the withdrawal of the others had been unnoticed by her. Suddenly she thought that Miss Bates might not like them! jessica would have had more ribbon or maybe less paper. Well she had tried. The baskets were ready. ... .U J. J. J. J. When the three o'clock bell had sounded. Sophie's heart hammered with excitement. There was to be a meeting of all of the girls. A notice on the bulletin board announced that Miss Bates would meet all of the girls right after three o'clock in the sitting room. Gathering her' books, Sophie left the study hall and walked slowly towards the girls' dormitory. l-ler baskets- could it be that something about them had displeased Miss Bates? She would soon know. When Sophie entered the room, she could tell by the number present that she was late. She sat down in a vacant chair near the window. Clearing her throat, Miss Bates addressed the group of girls: Girls the baskets have been called for and taken away. l am very sor- ry that some of you have taken the attitude which you have about these bas- ketsg l feel a lack of cooperation on your part. One person has had to do almost all of the work. lt was unfair of you to leave the whole thing to Sophie. Suddenly Sophie knew she had been right. There was something wrong with the baskets. Oh, why had she tried to handle this task? These thoughts of Sophie's were broken into by Miss Bates' voice addressing her: Sophie, l want to commend you for your work. The baskets are lovely. ln fact, they are the finest contribution Fair View School has ever made. But that is where I want to make a correction in your minds, girls. lt's not Fair View School's contribution to the poor, but Sophie's. You have done this excellently, Sophie, and I want to thank you. l certainly do appreciate your effortsf, Having delivered her message, part of which Sophie didn't understand- that about the other girls. Miss Bates smiled at Sophie, glanced coldly at the other girls, and left the room. Not having the courage to face Sophie, feeling horribly ashamed of their prank, the girls quietly slipped from the room. jessica remained. What she 90