Untitled Page 216

[written] p 16

[typed] May 29 - '96

& geologist of the university. In the afternoon I saw Tom who has failed
to take his degree. He is very crushed, & down on Prof. Anderson, but
he makes me very tired, he doesn't deserve his degree in the university
half as much as if it were offered in a cause of society life. I feel
much more sorry for Dr. & Mrs. McGrar, though I fancy Tom is much like
his mother. In the evening there was a little informal dance at Roble,
that as usual stopped at 10:30 owing to going out of the lights. Sunday
morning, I didn't go to the baccalaureate service, but to the dear little
chapel instead, Mr. Abbott went with me, which was a great pleasure as
he sings most beautifully. Monday morning was the Senior Farce, to which
I went with Mr. Abbott as he was my partner for the Senior Ball & it is
customary to go to both with the same person. The farce was excellent--
Old John had a part which he did well as he had to show off Encina to a
tourist. He told some of his exagerations & brought down the house, &
was encored so much he came back & made a speech. In the afternoon I
slept, and in the evening went to the ball - I wore my same little dress
with pink roses tucked in the violets & carrying pink roses. I had the
best time I ever had in my life, for it was a beautiful party. It was
in the Encina dining room, with lobby for a refreshment room, and the
long stone veranda for a promenade. Tuesday, Mr. Workman asked me to
go with him and his sister to the alumni lunch. It was an endlessly
pokey affair, as the waiters went on a strike and we had to wait till
they came back, but I enjoyed the honor of being in such distinguished
company. In the evening was the promenade concert - it seemed like a
corner of the world's fair - the quadrangle was outlined in Chinese
lanterns and a large band in the center. It was not so great a success
as last year, however, as it was a very warm night, crowds of people,
and one couldn't hear the music well; the short arcades were enclosed
and made booths of and in ours[written] we served refreshments and made it quite
cosey with easy chairs, rugs and divans. The next day was commencement,
and a large class of over 150 were graduated. Prof. Anderson read the
address entitled "Hamlet the transition from the philosophical to the
active life": from a literary and critical stand point, it was exceedingly
fine, but it lacked approprietness to the occasion. Dr. Jordan's remarks
were excellent to the point and wonderfully inspiring and noble; he
always does say just the right thing. In the afternoon I made a little
call on Mrs. Maitland & Mrs.Dunn, both inquired about you, and at Mrs.
Dunn's I tried to see if satisfactory arrangement could be made to stay
there next year, but found that they could not. The Hall is going to be
under different management next year & Miss Thompson is not going to be
there - a friend of Mrs. Stanfords is to be put in her place. Her salary
is considered too large, and as it is partially paid for by the girls,
Mrs. S. wishes it cut down. The girls and Miss Thompson are both sorry.
In the evening there was a wind-up dance given at the Hall, but I thought
I didn't care to go but my evening was engaged by a call from Mr. Abbott
so I didn't accomplish much packing till Thursday, when we did about all
of it and got off on the 5:20 train. Mr. Herme presented me with three
flourishing house-palms, one of which I brought home with me the other
one I left in charge of Lu.Brim who will there this summer. This evening
I went down to see Laura and inquire about her mother, Laura looks tired
but Mrs. Mann is a little better. L. missed all commencement fuss. The
year has been a very happy one, but I look forward to another year more
systematic in every respect and especially in writing to my dear Nannie,
for that is my most sacred &[written] loving[written] duty. I feel q uite sure that my
credits are all O.K. and they are the "outward and visible sign" of much