[Sidenote: Dancing]
Miss Allison took charge of the Reynolds High School as principal under
a mediocre superintendent. After the term was well under way she made
this announcement one morning at general exercises, “Owing to the fact
that the work of the high school has been suffering seriously for some
weeks past by reason of an excessive number of social affairs, it has
been decided to ask you all to refrain from social dancing during the
remainder of the year.”
After a few more words in which Miss Allison disclosed the fact that the
announcement had the approval of the board of education and the
superintendent, the matter was dropped.
Not many days passed until the following conversation took place:
“Edith, didn’t you plainly understand the announcement made in the
assembly-room some time ago?”
“Yes, Miss Allison, I understood. But you know we have all been
accustomed to dancing for years and years back and it seems hard to have
our fun all taken away from us.”
“But you are asked to give up dancing only during the school term.”
Edith continues, “All the other young folks not in school go on with
their fun; they invite us and we want to dance.”
“Well,” said Miss Allison, “all I can say is that the high school pupils
are not to dance while attending this school. You have not followed the
rule of the school. This is your first dance and if you do not repeat it
we can let the matter rest.”
But things took a turn for the worse. Community sentiment was not strong
enough to sustain Miss Allison, although official consent had been
readily obtained.
At a senior class social the whole company fell back into the old ways
and dancing lasted until midnight. When Miss Allison learned of it she
reported the matter to her superintendent. He sympathized with her and
then left the difficulty largely in her own hands.
She decided finally to drop any further consideration of the question of
dancing. She heard occasional remarks of mingled curiosity and scorn and
found her influence on the school sadly weakened.