Superintendent Blair yielded to an urgent demand to hold a miniature
barbecue in celebration of the series of victories in athletics. The
Lecompton High School had not lost a game of basket ball during the
season after meeting eight opposing teams.
[Sidenote: Handling a Crowd]
Miss McAuley, in charge of the sixth grade, was appointed custodian of
the water supply and as head usher, with instructions to drill the boys
and girls in her room to do the necessary work. She gave instructions
and practiced her pupils on these two matters.
“The ushers will say, ‘Dinner is now served, come this way, please.’
‘Men’s hats may be left here.’—‘May I show you to the drinking
fountain?’—‘This way out, please.’”
At first the novelty of the situation created more or less of a titter,
but in a few days the pupils mastered the set phrases and practiced on
their own number with a real enthusiasm.
Every other room in the school had a small part in bringing the event
off in a satisfactory manner. Of course the general conduct of the
school was thoroughly modified by this intensive method of instruction.