Thomaston High School - Sea Breeze Yearbook (Thomaston, ME)

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THE SEA BREEZE the box and he picked up one large button, winked and blink- ed at her cunning! and placed it with care on the heap of large ones. 'Then Lithua piled in and helped, and by seven- thirty all was done, over half an hour before Ted, Polly's friend, was due. Thankfully and tear- fully, Polly turned to Lithua, who held her little pet tightly, and with a cry of relief and joy, embraced them both. Then she called Sadie,-showed her the buttons neatly separated in two piles, told her what she thought of her, and turning to her bed, began silently to dress for her date. Sadie wasn't just astonished, but plain dulmfounded, and with eyes wide and mouth open, she tiptoed quietly out of Polly's room, bearing with her the but- tons, and this time she made not a sound as she shut the door and went down stairs. And never to this day has she found out how Polly accomplished the unreasonable task she had set before her. And Polly, now queen of the household, demanded of Lithua, Now listen here, you do as I say. Take that peach chiffon gown, and put it on. Now come here. Let me fix your impos- sible hair. Now, isn't that love- ly? Put on these stockings and these pumps. Now this evening cloak and these ear-rings-and here-this bag. Oh Lithua, youire a perfect darling! And true enough, Lithua was a beautiful young girl, who, touched bythe magic of Polly's hands, was full of love for life and bubbling over with vitality. So, laughing gaily, the two girls went out to meet Ted and Jack, a merry youth especially called for Lithua. But when intro- ducing Lithua, Polly made sure to call her by her middle name, Marion. But Sadie, left alone by the fire in the living room, no long- er chuckled and giggled to her- self, but marveled at Lithua's rapid change in appearance and Polllyls ability, and determined to keep Marion looking the dream she did in the one glimpse Sadie caught of her as she passed. At home, alone in an upstairs room, a small furry object darted hither and thither eating peanuts and chatting to him- self, happily thinking of the kindness of this home and mis- tress, gone but not forgotten- even by Sadie. C.A.B. '31, HOT DOGS Their flashing arms cut thru the water as Jean and Dick swam side by side toward the raft. Disagreeable thoughts were chasing each other in Jean's head, thoughts of what she knew Dick would ask her when they reached the raft. fPage 203

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THE SEA BREEZE -the box she dropped careless- ly on the floor. Now, me fair beauty, she cried, we'll see who's the boss 'round here. If y'ain't gonna shut up them noises tonight,- I'l1 do it for ya. Here's some- thing that'll take up yer time and won't leave much to cryin'. Yer to pick out the big buttons in this box and put 'em here fshe indicated with her pudgy hand the spotl and the small ones goes here, fagain she pointedj. There y'are-and if yer gets that job done before yer big boy comes, yer can go out. If yer don't-in yer stay- finish it,- an get to bed. I reckon yer'll be glad to when thet job's done. She grinned hatefully and trotted to the door happy in the thought of causing pain. S'long. I'll be seein' yer-after yer get it done. With a sneer on her homely, fat face, Sadie slammed the door and clanged noisily down the stairs, chuckling joyfully to herself. Polly looked at the box, which seemed enormous to her, and then threw herself across the bed, sobbing loudly. Kind-hearted Lithua could hardly bear to see dainty Polly kicking her four-inch heels in an agony of tears, so she crept upstairs by herself to recon- sider. She sat on her bed, her brow furrowed in thought. Suddenly her brow cleared and with ia happy exclamation she ran to another small room, grabbed an object which was swinging upside down from a rod, stretched from wall to wall, hugged it eagerly though gently to her, and rushed silently but swiftly to Polly's room, first glancing hastily down into the living room where her mother was sitting chuckling to her- self,-never dreaming that Lithua was not in league with her and happy because Polly could not enjoy herself. Safe in Polly's room, Lithua put the object down and went to where Polly was seated sorting out buttons, gently crying to herself in self-pity. The pile was piigfully small, and to Polly, each button seemed to sneer and smile as they fell from the pile with a will, while her tired fingers plucked them and threw them back. Oh, Polly,-look, Lithua cried excitedly. See, I've brought Chink. He can help you-I can teach him to do any- thing. The darling-I forgot all about him. Her face, which had lighted for a moment, now darkened, and she sank back to her former dejected position from which Lithua's entrance had made her rise. But WILL he? Chink is so obstinate at times! But Lithua went and picked up the object, a chattering little brown monkey, and clasped him to her. You dear, I knew yould be reliable in an emergency. Now, Chinkj' and Lithua gently and patiently went about show- ing the tiny fellow what to do. Fin-ally she put him down by fPage 191

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THE SEA BREEZE Why had she let herself be caught unawares by him? She knew he would ask her to go to Round Island. She wanted to go with Bob Ralston. Tho' he had not asked her, she had a feeling he would say something about it at the dance tonight. Her thoughts were interrupt- ed by seeing the raft in front of her, on which Jack Harrison was sitting, splashing the water with his feet. Jean's feelings sank lower as she thought of another invitation to the picnic. Upon reaching the raft she was helped up by Jack, who giving a hard kick, splashed water in Dick's face. The latter, splut-tering angri- ly, shouted, What has happened to' you that makes you feel so kind to everyone? I wanted to have a chance to talk to Jean, so I have to si- lence you by filling your mouth with water, said Jack. He turned to Jean and was about to speak, when Dick growled, No, you don't! Jean, will you go-. With me? said Jack. Dick was about to retort when Jean stopped him. Now you two listen to me for awhile. Fm flattered by your attentions, but I can't stand for your quarreling. It wouldn't be fair to go with either of you, as you both asked me at the same time. We'll have to settle it some other way. The three thought for a few minutes. Dick exclaimed, Why, I know! A race. We can race to the beach. The first one re- turning to the raft with a hot dog-we must swim back-will be the one who can take you to Round Island tomorrow? Jack said, That's fair, but how can we bring a hot dog back through the water?,' That's for us to find out, answered Dick. One, two, three, go! Both boys started off, Dick swimming as fast 'as he could, Jack swimming at a good speed which would not tire him so much. Jean sat on the raft wishing the dance had been the night before, so she would have been invited to go to the picnic with Bob. If that had happened, she could have refused these two boys at first. But maybe Bob wasn't planning to ask her any- way. She thought of his spark- ling brown eyes, and his engag- ing smile. Oh! Why was every- thing so mixed up? While Jean was musing on the raft, not taking much inter- est in the race, Jack, who had saved his fastest ,speed till the last, reached the beach, hurried to the stand, and ordered a hot dog. He asked if he could be trusted for it and hearing that he could, grabbed a piece of string. He got the dog and walked towards the water, plan- ning to tie it to the top of his head and carry it to the raft in that way. He met Dick, and just before reaching the water, turned to see how Dick was planning to carry his prize. fPage 211