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Page 31 text:
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Year Book 33 AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EXERCISE Bv Margaret E. Smith, Room 5 GiT HERE was not a sound to be heard along the beach except the 111 rhythmic dip, dip, dip of the paddles as the canoe drew nearer. When it reached the wharf a slim fair-haired girl jumped out, and after making the rope fast, turned to her companion, saying: “Jerry Allyn, I think you’re the meanest boy on earth.’’ With this as a parting shot Elspeth MacGregor ran along the wharf, across the sand and disappeared up the path. Jerry, after gathering up the paddles and cushions in silence, placed them on the beach, then looked up where he could see Slim running along the path. “Well, I’m the meanest boy on earth, am I,” he said slowly, “and Elspeth MacGregor, you can come mighty close to being the meanest girl when you want to, but other times”—and Jerry, his lips slowly curving in a smile, took a running dive from the wharf and swam out to the raft. Jerry Allyn and Elspeth MacGregor had been across Pine Lake to the village, for supplies. All had gone well till they reached the Point, where Elspeth decided that she wanted to swim the rest of the way. Jerry refused, saying that he didn’t care to exercise his life-saving knowl¬ edge just at that time. Slim couldn’t dive from the canoe when Jerry refused to allow it, because he would probably let the whole load turn turtle and then there would be a mess. So she paddled the rest of the way in silence, refusing even to answer Jerry’s questions as to whether or not they would practise their dives for the regatta that day. Jerry, lying on his back on the raft, his hands under his curly head, his tanned legs in the air, watched the path for Slim’s reappearance. She usually got over thinking he was the meanest boy on earth in a very short time. That particular afternoon, however, Slim had no intention of re¬ penting. She had come to the conclusion that Jerry was too conceited to endure and she was going to show him that she could swim well enough that he didn’t need to exercise his knowledge of life-saving as far as she was concerned. Therefore, she spent the rest of the afternoon help¬ ing her brother paint the porch floor. Jerry waited, and waited. His blue eyes lost their teasing sparkle and took on a perplexed gaze as he realized that Slim didn’t intend to forgive and forget as quickly as usual. Later that evening, Jerry, in his white flannels, racket in hand, whistled for Elspeth in the usual manner. After giving their call two or three times, and getting no response, he strode angrily up the road towards the courts. There to his dismay he saw Slim busily engaged playing doubles with the three boys on the beach whom he didn’t like. “Hello, Allyn,” one of them cried, “there are three girls over there waiting for a fourth. You better go and play!” Jerry, his face a bit pale under his tan, after seeing that Slim had no intention of speaking to him, replied, with a cheerfulness which was in great contrast to the hurt look in his eyes, “Sure, that’s great. Just suits me fine!” and he started to play on the other court.
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Page 32 text:
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34 Victoria High School Slim hadn’t expected that. She had expected to get reprimanded then and there, and to obey with mockery on the surface, but really gladly. However, Jerry didn’t seem to consider her feelings so she finished the set and then started home, saying she was too tired to play any longer. She half expected that Jerry would follow, but he kept on playing, evi¬ dently not even noticing that she was leaving. The following two weeks until the regatta were two weeks of misery for both Slim and Jerry, although they appeared to be having an excellent time. Both were practising their dives and swimming faithfully. Both had found new partners for the canoe events. The day of the regatta arrived. It was always a great day at the beach and that year a better program than ever had been arranged. As a result there w as a large crowd of spectators from the city. Event followed event. Slim led for the girls and Jerry for the boys, both having won everything in which they had entered. “Girls’ canoe race next!” the announcer’s voice thundered out. “Help! Help!” A cry was heard over the water. Everyone looked out over the lake. There they saw an overturned canoe with three people hanging to it. Slim had seen the accident before the cries were heard, had dived from the raft and was swimming rapidly towards the spot. Several men leapt for boats, but Jerry’s voice broke in: “You stay here! Slim’s swimming out to them and I’m going after her. You get blankets and stuff.” So saying, the boy jumped into the boat, and, pulling with long even strokes soon met Elspeth who was towing in one of the girls who had been upset. “You take this kid in, Jerry,” she said, “and then come back.” Jerry hesitated. “Go on! Do as I say.” Jerry went. He landed the girl and came back. “Here, Jerry!” Slim pulled the other girl up to the boat. Her voice sounded tired but before the boy could stop her she was off again, swim¬ ming more slowly, this time realizing that perhaps she could not make it. Other boats had come out regardless of Jerry’s command, and the third girl had been picked up. “Heh! Allyn! The girls are all in, you had better get Slim!” Slim was swimming, swimming. She felt she could go no further, but she must—she must. Suddenly she heard a voice: “Here! Hang on to this. The other kids are all right!” Jerry threw her a rope. She grabbed at it and missed. Grabbed again but missed, and could keep up no longer. Down, down, down, she was going. What a terrible feeling! Then some one took her arms and started for the surface. “Ah! there they were. Wasn’t that great.” Jerry swam slowly, giving Slim time to regain her strength. “Listen, kid,” he said, “you can touch bottom now, so if you can walk, go ahead. I don’t want to be accused of saving your life.” “But, Jerry,” Slim said, putting her feet on the bottom, though still hanging on to Jerry for support, “you shouldn’t miss such an opportunity to exercise your knowledge of life-saving.” “Shut up, youngster,” he grinned in a way that made Slim’s heart turn over. “I don’t need to exercise any on you. You know enough and swim well enough without me butting in.”
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