Louise S McGehee School - Spectator Yearbook (New Orleans, LA)

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The Spectator Fvrty-three Um, mind if I sit down ? 4 A Don't interrupt! Anyway there are sixteen people coming and I only have fifteen fingerbowls that match, I ordered a dozen more. The trouble is, they haven't come as yet. Harriet, my dear, you're slipping. Fingerbowls are out of style. Oh, but they're so pretty, you know, and I wanted to show them off so badly. Why don't you take a few and fill them with roses? You could buy them cheap- Heavens no, Michael, one of the women who is coming tomorrow has a cousin working as a clerk in the florist. If he ever told her what we paid ! ! ! Sweet, I have something I must tell you about! Oh, Michael, I nearly forgot. 'I'm sure you won't mind, for you know how Kate loves pretty things. Anyway, I was downtown this morning and I saw the most stunning fur jacket. I suddenly realized that she never had one, which is, of course, essential in the making of a well-rounded young lady. So you bought it. That's right. Are you angry, dear? Please, Harriet, would you let me speak? Just wait a minute. No, you're angry now, but tomorrow you'll see it all differently, so we'll forget all about it for the time being. Now, dear, I've spent all afternoon looking through the Family Bible for famous ancestors and I couldn't find one. You wouldn't have any who came over on the Mayflower, would you? After all, Katherine's got to have some- thing to brag about. My dear wife, even if I had ten that came over on that partic- ular voyage I wouldn't admit it, because three-fourths of them were prisoners. Now, would you please let me tell you something of vital importance ! I hope you're going to get after Johnnie very soon, if that's what you're referring to. Really he's getting out of hand. I was shocked when his teacher told me we hadn't been to Sunday School for the past two weeks. Not that he learns anything when he does go, but it's the point that the Wimples have always had the repu- tation for being faithful church-goers. Besides, you pay ten dollars a season for the pew. Do you like this nail polish? Honestly, you men don't realize how lucky you are. Any time something comes up, you just slick down your hair and straighten your tie--but the women! Speaking of women, darling, I really think it's about time

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Forty-two The Spectator The Parasite HWELL, I declare. Do you mean to tell me you invited that- Eggy Sanford, Mom. Yes, that Eggy boy home again for dinner without asking my permission? And the maid's night out at that! Oh, Johnnie, how could you be so thoughtless. Why you know he'1l think we can't afford a servant. Every time he comes she's either sick or has some excuse for being absent. Besides, this will be the fifth time he's been here and you've been there exactly twice. Three times, Mom. Don't contradict. You certainly don't expect me to count the time you went over there and had cold ham and potato, do you? Your poor old Mother! While you sit in English Class doing Algebra home- work, which, incidentally, your father got a note from the principal about, and spend the night out at football practice, I stay home wash- ing and mending. A lot of gratitude you have. Johnnie, how many times have I told you not to wash your filthy hands in the kitchen sink. Well, Katie's been in the bath tub ever since I got home. Kindly relate what the special occasion is. Don't be impudent, young man. .She's going out with that lovely new boy down the street. You mean that Sidney Farbs, thing? Oh, Mom, have a heart, he's the biggest sissy in Central High. Think of the poor girl's repu- tation! That's exactly what I am doing. Just for your information I think he's one of the nicest boys either of you know. Besides, Kather- ine must associate with as many people as possible. Don't forget, he went to the Simmons School for Young Gentlemen, and he can in- troduce her to all his friends. Once she gets that ball rolling . . . Aw, listen mom, speaking from a m.an's point of view, I'll see your mind at ease right now. You're not going to have a bit of trouble pawning sis off, she's strictly O.K. John Horace Wimple, 'I have a mind to-oh, here's your father, good evening, Michael. Did you have a hard day at the office? You can't imagine what's been going on here. The boiler broke and some- one stole the gate in the back yard, the club meets here tomorrow and- Which club, dear? Oh, the 'Anti-War, You Women of America! But, let me tell you what's really the matter.

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Forty-four The Spectator we had a serious talk with Kate. She's sixteen now and quite superior to the other girls of her age. What do you mean by superior? We-ll, uhh, she wears lipstick and uh-wears l-lipstick. Yes, what else? Oh, I don't know, but I do think we should talk to her about- well, about boys, for instance. After all, she's beginning to go out with them and I think we should do everything in our power to im- press it upon her how important it is to be picky in choosing her company. After all, 'Birds of a feather'. Well, all of them seem all right to me except that new boy down the street. Certainly you don't call him the perfect specimen of manlinessi' Michael, please, he's a dear boy, and besides, his father is quite wealthy. You realize, of course, that a girl is a great responsibility. We have to make sure that she gets in with the elegant people so that when she comes out in society- Now, hold on, there. You'd better not let your hopes run too high. I've been trying to tell you something all evening but you wouldn't give me the chance. Speaking of chances, Michael, did you do as I requested and ask for that raise this morning ? My dear, that's what I've been trying to say all evening. I lost my job. Don't kill yourself with poison, bullets, or A rope, just think of all the things you'll miss. But rather stay alive to see the end Of this great war that rages on and on. Starvation stalks and strikes with ruthless force And claims its victims many. Wait and see If men are killed by bomb or gas-Don't shout, Don't spoil it all. Be shown the way to die. Be glad you're alive, alive to watch The death of men. Just look, you'll see them come, Their hopeless bodies bent to do one will. Now look! They laugh, they sing, they're loyal all, Belief, blind might, false truths, invincible- Oh, come now, thoughts like these are not for you, Think only of the beauty of this life, Of nature, birds that sing and make soft nests, Yet-other birds make only barbed wire nests.