Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

Page 26 text:

FIRE-DRILL IN THE HOUSE Deep silence reigns. Not a whisper — not a single stealthy footstep is heard throughout the house — nothing but quietness, still as the tomb. Each form lies, stretched on the bed — waiting — expectant — but wordless. Dressing-gowns are draped on the backs of chairs; slippers are placed in two exact geometrical planes by the bedside. Dainty boudoir caps lie beside them, while eiderdowns are rolled in con- venient, but uncomfortable bundles on the feet of each sleeper. Not a stir — not a word. Suddenly — hark! — the strained atmosphere is broken by a harsh clanging sound. But once it sounds; comes a hush; then pande- monium bursts forth. Flying forms leap from their couches, shoes are donned, usually on the wrong feet, so that much valuable time is lost — gowns follow, hanging on one arm and trailing behind, and lastly, with much accuracy and precision, comes the dainty cap. At last, all is ready. Each eager figure rushes to the corridor. Stop! w hat was that! Ah, yes! And all dive back once more to retrieve the forgotten eiderdown. Two orderly lines hurry down- stairs, each person impeded by the dangling gowns, and the ends of the eiderdowns, hung toga-like about the shoulders of those in front. The open air is reached. The fresh breeze of evening revives twenty-eight drooping souls — and twenty-eight weary sighs strike the tingling stars. In tense voices the rolls are called — none missing- — no casualties; all is well; all are safe. The figures having so bravely rescued them- selves, trudge ofi to each deserted cot. Fire-drill is over. M.H.S.— VL NIGHT I SEE thee coming, silent Night, Across the darkening sky, Silvery moonbeams for thy light. As twilight ' s shadows die. Thy dusky tresses poppy wreathed Entwined upon thy brow. The sleepy scent which twilight breathed, But who fast sleepeth now. The little flowers which thou madest sleep. Each one with golden dream. And drowsy world in slumber deep While thou, Night! reign supreme. F.W.— V. 24

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SCHOOL DICTIONARY Teacher — One who works us hard and gives us no credit for our labours. Knowledge — A useful thing sadly lacking in some of us. Latin — One of the dead languages, unduly troublesome owing to the fact that it has not been buried. Report — A very terrifying document issued every term, and re- quiring much explanation at home. Joy — A sensation generally noted for its absence when reports arrive at home. Essays — Instruments of torture both to the writer and to the reader. Minute — A period of sixty seconds — just long enough to receive a bad mark in. Detention — Time spent on Wednesday afternoon instead of at- tending the matinee. Awe — That which juniors display (?) toward the Sixth Form. Athletics — That which requires us to rise early and take a cold bath. A.K.— VL ARMISTICE DAY This is the day when but two years ago The great glad news that war was at an end Flashed o ' er the Empire, fallen hopes to mend In lands of tropic heat and lands of snow: Again the church bells ring and whistles blow But with this joy there also seems to blend A thought more solemn; men to defend Their country died with faces to the foe. And yet to consecrate one day for praise Is not enough; by action, word and deed Keep fresh their untold deeds in many ways; Of statues built to honour them we read, But, better still, live nobly all our days; In years to come let service be our creed. M.Y.— VL 23

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A CONVERSATION Really! said Science Book indignantly, by all the laws of gravitation and otherwise, that book should not have landed on me — realK ' it is too outrageous! It gives to me — how you say? ah! ze hysterics! interposed Monsieur La Patrie. I was hit too, really, it was the most outrageous bump in His- tory, put in History Book. Who was it who hit us? I am afraid it was I, said the Lady of the Lake. Ah! in that case . . . . began History Book graciously — but here Kirkland and Scott cut in irritably; Fiddlesticks! stuff and nonsense! though I suppose it was not her fault — those Humans again, I suppose! Ah! forgive those foolish mortals , began Poetry Book. Shan ' t! cried Kirkland and Scott. Pax! pax! cried Elementa Latina. What on earth does he mean? queried Science Book. Peace, replied the Dictionary. Peace yourself then! shouted back Kirkland and Scott. Cease to fight, you imbeciles! said Poetry Book. What? cried Kirkland and Scott. Quid, echoed Elementa Latina. What would have happened next I do not know had not Monsieur La Patrie cut in with; Silence — how you say? Be quiet? the Hu- man — she approaches! At these words the turmoil ceased, at least for a few minutes, until the Human had gone away. B.d ' A.— Upper H. THE SIXTH FORM DEBATES Last Fall all the Sixth Form had a debating club. We debated every Tuesday; we debated fast and furious. It was very enjoyable listening to another speak, but when we ourselves arose to win over the opposition it was strange how fondly we thought of the little cubby-hole under Miss Bryan ' s desk. We wished it was bigger. Then with splendid heroism we would plunge into the middle of our carefully prepared arguments; the middle, never the beginning. We get on swimmingly for a few minutes and have visions of the first Canadian woman in Parliament, Sunday Illustrated, etc., when — disconcerting sr)und — a chuckle is heard. We look at our feet, nothing wrong there, and-de , we look at our hands, nothing wrong there, and-de we look at our fellow pupils. They are cer- tainly amus ' d. What have we said? And-de we look at Miss P)r ' an, and-de she is counting them!