Cumnock School - Chronicle Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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L I T E R A T U R E out even a suggestion that jessica be chairman. Such a waste of time, chirped one of the girls, and another said in a disgusted tone, Surel The sooner jessica's elected the sooner she can get started. All of this time Sophie had said nothing. She had stood glued to the wall. Tonight even Miss Bates had noticed the dejected figure pressed against the wall. Praying for assistance from Cod to help her leave without being seen by the others, she forced her unwilling legs to move. Noiselessly she slipped out of the room. The last bell had finished ringing. Sophie closed her math book and began to prepare for the long and dreaded afternoon. The time from the three o'clock bell until time to dress for dinner would drag. lt seemed to Sophie as she walked from the room and up the stairs to her room that it had been a life-time since last night. Those dreadful feelings she had had standing there against the sitting room walll Something within her was tell- ing her she just couldn't go into that place again. As she came to the head of the stairs, she saw some girls enter the sitting room. Her mind was made up. She would seek the peace and safety of her own room. She would rath- er sit there and watch the two hands of her alarm clock have a tug of war against time, than go in a room with a group of people of which she could never be a part. She had tried, but she was different. She felt, as she closed her little door against crying, that she could never be like jessica. Everyone liked jessica. She was pretty. People never tried to close her out from them. They all wanted her to be a part of them. Imagine Sophie ever a part of any- thing. :': :': :js :': :': :'C The girls' sitting room was a great deal cheerier than Number Sixteen. Ripples of laughter slid up and down the walls. jessica was speaking rapidly. All right, if Miss Bates wants an election we'll have one. We'll make her wish she'd let us have who we wanted for chairman. l've got itg this one will get the results all right. Tonight when the election comes we'll elect Sophie! 87

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' L I T E R A T U R E aloof air of the girls. She realized with a pang of sadness that the girls had shared their remarks with her at dinner only because Miss Bates had been present. All of her determination to fit into this chattering group left her, and she was just turning to pass out through that dreaded door, which leered at her saying, Almost, but not quite. You thought you could pass by me and escape life! But the ghastly thing opened and Miss Bates, all warmth and smiles, entered the room. The girls hastily stood up. Sit down, girls. I just stepped in to tell you of an idea which came to me a little while ago. jessica darted forward, offered Miss Bates a chair, and seated herself on its arm. The other girls, being satisfied with jessica's last gesture, moved hurridly into seats around Miss Bates. To avoid the onslaught of the girls, Sophie melted back against the wall. Unnoticed she stood listening to Miss Bates. As you know, girls, it has always been our custom to do something for the poor at Christmas time, and this year I thought, that is, if you girls would like, we could fill baskets for them. Not waiting to hear any more, jessica haughtily announced, That is an excellent idea, but I think it would be a fine idea to elect a chairman who could appoint a committee or make arrangements, you know, a person who could guide the others in their tasks. The inevitable happened. All voices sang out, 'Yes, yes, a simply ducky idea, jessica. To jessica it was all settled. They would elect a chairman, she would be chairman. She was amazed, for from the expression in Miss Bates' eyes she could tell that it was not all settled. Girls, I would like you to think this idea over. Think who would make the best chairman, then tomorrow evening you may hold your election. Having nothing further to say, she went out. Could the world be going to end? There arose a great stir in the sitting room after Miss Bates' departure. Imagine thinking it over! Why there was no one but jessica for the job. Yet Miss Bates had actually walked out with- 86

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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