Page Twenty-Seven

wary in approaching his assistants. For some strange reason, Miss Cairns
and Miss Judge harbor a feeling of kindly tolerance to the entire outfit.

Our progress through the second floor was punctuated with frenzied
dodgings of missiles, and frequent rushes through doors left conveniently
open. Without exception, from Mr. Gourlay in the Teachers’ Library
: at one end of the hall to Mr. Barr’s in his office at the other end, we met
: with vituperation, wrath, harsh words, and harsher gestures. We decided
- that the students are not popular. The fact that they are directly above,
and that all their scuffles, cries, alleged singing, and general uproar perco-
late undiminished to this floor, may have something to do with the case.
We are not sure.

Our last call was made to.the precincts of Mr. Brooks, the janitor.

“The students wouldn’t be so bad if only they didn’t spill water all
over the floors and windowsills, or make clayey footprints all over the
floors after they come from the modelling room, or choke the drain pipe
in the wash bowl with clay, or throw paper all over the floor, or leave
drawing boards and papers all around, or went home promptly after
school, or didn’t break desks and chairs, or... .”

But at this point we fled, followed up the stairs by a murmur, “or
hold sing-songs, or play all over the building at recess or... .. ¢

We have decided that opinions are about evenly divided. As condi- ~
tions are at present, it seems that our well-wishers are to be blessed with
our presence for a year or two yet, and the others will certainly have a
chance to revise their opinions by a further acquaintance.

Pc OE gt in

sl

If I Could Only Paint

} I want to paint some pictures

Of fields and flowers and trees,

Of fleecy little cloudlets

Borne by the vagrant breeze,

Of lakes and hills and mountains

And butterflies and bees,

Of sun and rain and hail and dew

And snow and winds that freeze,

And waves that roll through endless years

Upon the seven seas. Mii Ac Le,