Dominican College of San Rafael - Firebrand Yearbook (San Rafael, CA)

Page 82 text:

aroused his old spirit of playfulness soon again. He tried to win the love or friendship of the girls by play- ing little tricks on them, pondering for days over what they would think cute, funny, or helpful. Always he was greeted with a similar rebuke: a displeased look, a sigh of disgust, or an angry Oh go away . Instead of giving up, he followed the old maxim to try and try again; he is still trying. 78

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HOMER 11 11 OMER knows many people well, but he has few ll II friends. He accomplishes much, but he is seldom appreciated. Because his talents are unacclaimed, Homer is developing an inferiority complex. In case you have not met Homer, he is Benincasa ' s ghost. He is really very congenial, as ghosts go, but the poor thing is saddened by the realization that the thirteen inhabitants of the old house have very little affection for him. When he came from Nowhere, in nineteen hundred and thirty-five, he chose to live in Benincasa, which the college had just purchased. For a few years the house was closed, except in the summer- time when the priests who taught in the summer school lived there. The house was very quiet in those days, and Homer longed for company, so he was over- joyed when he heard the news that Benincasa was to be used as a residence for college students. He whisked around gleefully, covering everything with dust and misplacing and cracking everything, to welcome the college girls in September. His dismay was overwhelming when he heard the uncomplimentary remarks about the confusion he had caused. For a while he sulked in the clock in the living room, where he lives, but his natural curiosity 77

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Some of his most recent tricks have been opening the front door when some slightly scarey person is in the living room; hiding the iron, first in a little box and then in a big box covered with newspapers, just when someone wants to use it; turning off the gas heat on cold days (he knows this annoys Dr. Foley, but he thinks a fire is so much cozier) ; and hiding the morning papers under a sofa pillow before the Early Bird has time to read them (he thinks college girls a little too old to read the funnies) . To make others realize he is around. Homer makes the phone ring, so that when someone answers it there is no one calling. He also hides the mail from some, and they really are beginning to believe in him. Actually, everyone in Benincasa knows Homer exists, but few will admit it. Before the class of forty- seven leaves, however, Homer expects them all to appreciate him for what he is: a friendly, but mis- chievous spirit, who adds interest and excitement to life at Benincasa. Janet McDonell ' 47 Helen Sweeney ' 47 79