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nattily and my suit certainly had the “college” cut. Still, I should not think I would arouse as much comment as this, even though I was the only male among fifty or sixty girls. And still they came, some laughing, some serious, some giggling, others frowning, but they all cried or murmured as
they threw me a cursory glance, “ Male, Male, Male.”
My fear forsook me, and I straightened up, smoothed my tie and
put on my most engaging smile, which had never failed me at the Proms, and resolved to live up to my reputation.
But now I noticed that the calvacade had dwindled to an occasional girl now and then, and that all of them were grouped around a ridiculously small table in the hall below, like hungry dogs waiting for scraps.
And even as I looked a few straying gazes met my stare, and their eyes seemed to murmur into mine, “ Male, Male, Male.”
Then, as I sought an answer to this phenomenon, a tall and stately woman issued from the office, bearing a pile of letters, magazines and papers. An opening was promptly made for her, and her burden deposited on the table.
immediately there ensued a wild scramble, and out of the debris occasionally issued a girl, dishevelled, to be sure, but with a wild triumphant look in her eyes, as she tenderly gazed at the thick envelope, addressed in
bold mannish handwriting, which she held in her hand. On her face beamed an almost beatific expression; she seemed sublimely happy.
So, Tthought, as my pride collapsed like a pricked balloon and I made my way sorrowfully to the door, it was these letters the girls craved and not me. And then and there I made a mental memorandum to write imme­ diately to Jean, Betty and Mildred, Florence, Harriet and Eleanor. F'or
after all, what is life without maU?
Thoughts on Seeing a Sailboat by Moonlight
Just a little way out in the bay Th e sailboat rests at anchor.
Its tall graceful spars.
Outlined with a shimmering thread of crystal.
Dip and sway
With the motion of the boat
As its bow is lifted out of the water on the silver ridg’d waves