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been capable of such a degree of introspection, we should probably have reflected that it seemed as though we had never known any other life. It was, therefore, with something of a shook that, ona late June afternoon, we heard Gertie announce that our days in the Little Room had come to an end; that on the following Monday morning we should present ourselves in a Big Room. -It seemed that we were being pushed out into a strange and unfriendly world, and we relished the prospec’ not. at all.

Despite the awe with which we had always regarded her, Gertie had: become a sort of mother figure to us. After all, she was the only teacher we had ever known. She was a strict disoiplinarian; at times we thought her | unreasonably severe. But, in the years ahead, we would arrive at ans realization of her dedication, and of our good fortune in having spent our

early School days in her care. : ‘ Mets tebe se bite

The Big Room was a slightly larger edition of the Little Room. it also boasted a "central heating" plant -- with most of the defects to which we had been accustomed. It had a Sspecisl feature; a rear panel that. would fall out on the floor amid a shower of hot coals and cinders when someone threw in a chunk of wood with a little excessive emphasis. Quite probably, this was not always the result of accident. The confusion attendant upon eathering up the debris and manhandling the hot panel back into place provided a few minutes! diversion -- a respite from the normal grind.

Teachers who served in that department during my time were: Katie Darrach, a New Haven girl, a charming personality, and an efficient teacher. Ada Trainor of Elmwood, an excellent teacher and a strict disciplinarian. Malcolm MacNeill of St. Catherine's, a man educated far beyond the

completely average country school teacher of that day, a man/dedicated to his calling.- Many times in later years I have regretted not having taken greater

advantage of the opportunities offered by those devoted instructors.

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