Girls Latin School - Liber Annalis Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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lunch period spent copying her best friend's Latin paper? The gym about this time was a very 'hush-hush' place. The sophomores could not understand the mysterious gesticula- tions made by the juniors, the freshmen would immediately contact an Indian club, should they peep around the corner, and the seniors -well the seniors were their omnipotent selves, and one did not have to be reminded twice of the dire results, should one try to practise basketball some lunch period. Why all these weird precautions, King? The gym meet was approaching! With determined zeal and long suffering cooperation we marched obliquely, about faced, inter-marched, came down by sixes - our heads whirling with a thousand and one orders we had to remember. We strained the thirty odd muscles in our sto- machs on cheers, we stayed until five-o'clock decorating our fioat and basket, we prayed and wept and enjoyed it all immensely. But somehow seniority prevailed again. With bereaved hearts and scalding thoughts di- rected at Mr. Hapgood, who read the awards, we nursed our thwarted genius. Next year we'd show them, we thought. And then what happened? asked the King. Well, said Alice, and paused to adjust her flamingo more securely under her arm, in September, of 1943 that is, We entered the Sophomore year, and did we show the Queen a thing or two. What Queen? asked the King blankly. Why the Queen in Looking Glass Land, answered Alice. She asked me ever so many silly questions that I couldn't answer, until I asked if she could prove two triangles congruent. That is geometry, you know, said Alice patronizingly as she glimpsed the dazed look on the King's face. Then in November the first Junior Town Meeting was presented. The ques- tion was: 'Should the Government Sub- sidize College Education?' It was of great interest to us all, said she seriously. We also missed a whole week of school because of rationing. The King, to hide his ig- norance of these matters, kept silent. In April, continued Alice, pausing only long enough to hit Hedgie with her wiggling flamingo, the seniors, juniors, and some of my classmates, too, Went to Boston Garden for the big Gym Demon- stration. It was a great success. Jim who? asked the King. Ignoring the ques- tion, Alice went on to tell about her own school Gym Meet. The seniors won, of course, and we came in last as usual, sighed Alice. G. L. S. did succeed in iiy- ing the Minute Man Flag that month. J une and vacation. Alice's thoughts flew back to those glorious summer days. Is that all? asked the King return- ing from a futile chase after his hedgehog. Oh, no, replied Alice smiling indul- gently. In September I entered the junior year. How wonderful we felt as we ap- plauded the seniors, knowing that in one short year, we, too, should be seniors, es- pecially when we ordered our rings. Here Alice was interrupted by the Queen storm- ing at the King for his lack of attention to the game. A ring, my dear, said the King re- turning after a miserable attempt at hitting his hedgehog, let me see it. Alice proudly showed her ring. The King politely ad- mired it but secretly felt that his own were far handsomer. By October the school had settled down to the regular routine. The Athen- ian Club Halloween party was held on Octo- ber 27. The Dramatic Club play, 'Is my Face Red?' was highly entertaining. After the play everyone enjoyed the traditional cider and doughnuts. Cider and doughnuts? I like cider and doughnuts, said the King brightening. There was a short pause while the King and Alice vainly tried to separate their battling hedgehogsg then Alice resumed her absorbing tale of life at G. L. S. In December, ever so many interest- ing things happened. At the Christmas Assembly a religious pageant was pre- sented. It was very well acted, and we were proud of our classmates. O King, dear, asked Alice sweetly, were you ever in a play? Eh? er, no, mumbled the King, Pm afraid not. My memory, you know. Well, go on with your story. After vacation we began to study a very interesting period in history, the reign of Augustus Caesar. Don't you think the Romans are fascinating, King, dear? I never heard of them, muttered the King distractedly tugging at his crown. It's probably just as well, thought Alice to herself. In March the Glee Club presented its annual concert entitled 'Our Country in Song and Dance! The program included songs and dances from the Pilgrims to the E321

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Miss Lundel1's management and the enthu- siastic cooperation of the girls! The King's attention had wandered hopefully to his lady, for these tales of another world had him a bit confused, and so, when Alice continued, she addressed her remarks to Two, Five, and Seven. These three were peering over the edge of the fiowerpot where they had sought shelter from the Queen's wrath. We took walks through the Fenway where the red roses really grow red. The three eavesdroppers hurriedly ducked below the pot rim again as a missile flew by their ears. We had only about three more weeks of school, and the weather was heavenly, said Alice obligingly turning again to the King. At last Mrs. Fennessey recorded the last 'F' and said good-bye to her kindergarten children. Vacation was on! Alice's face took on a sweet ecstatic look unmarred by memories of conditions and admonition. It was a look recalling days spent in trapping goldfish in one of the Arnold Arboretum ponds, in playing tincan relievo at the foot of the street, in climbing the quarry shaft with the exhila- rating sense of nothingness below. But, remembered Alice, we enjoyed the first day of school again in September, dressed smartly in our polished mocs and new plaid suits. Weren't we fifth class- men? The glow lasted for two weeks. School had by then settled down to the normal routine characterized by a full green bag and a haggard expression. We were only too eager to find the neck pres- sure points of anyone who should even think an unflattering thought about our chosen school, but, oh, what we said among ourselves! Homelessons drove us to dis- traction, and only club activities kept us in tune with the motto 'Sana mens sano in corpore.' By the way, contrary to a general belief among the girls, the floors of the Tech Roller Skating Rink are not built with inner springs and cushioned with rubber. Take my word for it! But despite the grueling life we led, we felt experienced as we climbed the stairs to our homerooms and looked with superior disdain at the childish sixth classmen. The performance of 'Imaginary In- valid' in Collins Hall revealed our forebod- ings even then of future association with that 'intriguing' C?l language, French. The groans that accompanied the Invalid's dis- paraging remarks about Latin! We cer- tainly agreed! lib fi'- i-' ll-! K U pl, , Q ' 'FY Q , f' fl' v l Q A . 6-fzf dr 'I Q y Q' f !L -2 5 5 fa I PJ?- Spring and open windows brought a new delight - the strains of Helen For- rest's 'The Man I Love' with that James man on the trumpet, or, a long, low whistle with a background of radio school howls. And those boys had the strongest toes! We'd see them at any hour of the day hanging out the windows by their feet alone. Boys? interrupted the King, who had returned after a withering scolding, I thought G. L. S. was a girls' school. Oh that, sighed Alice - A high, bolted fence kept any wondering souls from wandering too far. Not until we were graduated to 4A did we fully appreciate the rewards of suffering two extra years for our diploma. That blessed first music period! We stared at the new unsure 4B's, giggled inelegantly, and then prepared them for the worst. School was wickedg we had seven hours of homework a night: the teachers had long willow switches they ap- plied at appropriate moments! Gloatingly we revealed the Nero-ish qualities of our facultyg the 4B's were weak and trembling! But, mirabile visu, they staggered through the first two months with not a lash mark to be found on their fair bodiesg and, by the first of January, we were dashing side by side, elbow C4A'J against rib C4BD to the Taffy Apple and 'Snowball' man, slam- ming Johnson's doors in each other's re- spective noses, and performing other well- known acts of endearment. Who can forget Nancy Vahey treating some poor soul whose glazed eyes and famished look betrayed a l31l

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present day. The dancers and soloists in colorful costumes supplemented the Glee Club numbers. We have a Glee Club, too, said the King, and if they don't make us merry, the Queen has them executed. In May we had our Gym Meet again, she continued. It was a humiliating exper- ience for us. We were awarded third place. Even fourth place would have been better than third. We could have blamed it on a jinx then. We recovered from the blow, however, and June quickly drew to a close. The golden summer was before us at last. As the recital of her junior year ended Alice entered the game again attempting to roll her hedgehog through an arch. However, her flamingo had that irritating habit of twisting around at the very last minute to look into her face, and contin- ually spoiled her aim. Tell me, said the King when Alice returned, did you ever really get to be a senior? Oh, yes! sighed Alice happily. In September I again sat in the familiar hall, but this time my classmates and I marched out triumphantly to the applause of the lower classes. We were keyed up to such a high pitch of excitement that the an- nouncement that school would be dismissed after registration came as an anti-climax. We seniors threw ourselves into lessons and extra-curricular activities. What's that? and Alice jumped as a tinkling sound reached her ears. Oh, nothing. The Duchess' footman just dropped his eyeglasses, said the King. It reminds me of chemistry class, said Alice wistfully. Why should it remind you of chemis- try? queried the King who had absolutely no idea of what chemistry was. Why, the breaking glass, of course. We couldn't go through a Lab period with-- out breaking a few test-tubes or bottles. Oh! said the King intelligently. At the Halloween party the Dramatic Club presented a play called 'The Weird Sistersf It was very goodg we never sus- pected we had such actresses in our midst. Gradually howls of dismay began to echo and re-echo through the halls of G. L. S. as we, the seniors, received our proofs, said Alice. Maybe we were laboring under delusions in regard to our beauty. Have you ever had your picture taken, King? Yes, sighed the King. I had to sit E33 l so stifiiy with that heavy crown on my headg it was terrible. In December, continued Alice, wc had our Senior Tea. We seniors all came beautifully dressed, looking like human beings for once. I didn't have to wear my hair like this, either, said Alice, tossing back her long straight hair scornfully. Well, it does resemble pulled taffy, said the King, eyeing Alice's golden tresses. It was a wonderful Tea, and in spite of our first nervousness, we soon relaxed and enjoyed it. Oh, I almost forgot, cried Alice, I must tell you about the Classical Club Christmas Party. Most of us went dressed as Romans, and the refreshments resembled Roman delicacies. The whole club was entertained by myths done in pan- tomime by several of our classmates. What fun! Excuse me, my dear, the King said. I see it is my turn to play again. Just before the February vacation, Alice resumed her story when the King returned, the senior class play, 'The Pow- der Puif Gir1,' was presented. It was a smash hit. We thought it quite profes- sional. Anything more? the King asked as Alice's silence continued. No, she said sorrowfully. During the vacation I fell down the Rabbit's hole and here I am. If I don't get out I'm afraid I'll never be able to finish the story. Just then the Queen came flying by in a rage as usual, and dragged the King Off with her. As he went, the King turned back and winked solemnly at Alice. Happy Landing! called back the King, so pleased with his joke that he did not even feel the ear tweaking that his Queen was giving him. And Alice, bemused, stood where he had left her, seeing herself walking se- renely across the platform among her class- mates, and, while striving for a graceful exit, likely as not falling down the stairs. PATRICIA FERROLI MARIE PRITCHARD