Wellesley College - Legenda Yearbook (Wellesley, MA)

Page 30 text:

1 8 At Wellesley Loch ! Loch ! Loch Learoch ! ' 96 ! ' 96 ! Loch Learoch ! The Float was successful from all points of view. There were thousands of guests ; — a detail which means pleasure for the girls and their friends and money in the pockets of the Athletic Association. In an aesthetic sense also it was good. The summer night was full of a witchery that is Wellesley ' s own. The fireworks, the penants, the lights on the water, the very gowns of the multitude made a vivid color effect. The little boats moored to the shore were all ablossom with colored lanterns ; and the great, sombre-looking gondola bore one rare and gorgeous flower, — a gondoher in holiday dress. There was a great deal of sound ; the buzzing of numberless voices, class cheers, clear enough at first but growing more and more hoarse as time wore on, now and then a word in decisive tone from one of the coxswains. At last, the crew-boats made a new

Page 29 text:

A Question of Science 17 She became an ornament to the famous society, X. F., went to the social meetings, and knew the names of desirable Fresh- men. This was not the gentle abstraction which usually indicates a love affair, but people who are naturally abstracted take to a different mode of expression under such circumstances. So thought Ruth at all events. Ellis was out for the Glee Club and Nell was very pleased and gracious. Ruth asked him for Twelfth Night and, since she was in the cast, Nell kindly acted as hostess. At last it was ' ' Float night. Ruth regretted the fact that Nell rowed but it couldn ' t be helped. She and Fan with several of the Juniors sat together on the hill-side entertaining Ellis, his chum, and a couple of Seniors from Harvard. Ellis kept his eye on the red and white ribbons that floated from the senior boat. When it passed he watched the swaying figure of Number Three and lifted up his voice with those who yelled,

Page 31 text:

A Question of Science 19 move. Coming from all directions they met at a point several yards from the shore, forming a large gay star. There was a standing figure in the centre and the senior colors waved from a bright baton. Singing is peculiarly sweet and evanescent on the water, and on this occasion the Wellesley songs met with appreciation. What ' s the matter. Sis? asked Ellis Bachelder suddenly. The crews were singing Where, oh where are the ver- dant Freshmen ? and Ruth ' s expression was a little more serious than the subject demanded. ' I Ve heard it four Float nights and this is the last. It ' s a little hard to give it all up, said Ruth. I wonder whether Nell is thinking of our three years of conjugal felicity and the approaching end. In a moment Ellis understood, for the last verse came regretfully over the water, Where, oh where are the grand old Seniors ?