Page 10 - 1918 February - To Dragma

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 103

and the Barnum room i n the museum, for this was Mr. Barnum's
college, the reception where, for a few dreadful minutes, I wore my
fraternity pin on my back and Delta was too polite to criticize, evi-
dently thinking the Grand President style was one "fore and aft."
This excitement was ended by slipping my belt back into place. The
pin episode was merely an incident of the reception, its importance
was that I met the faculty wives, student body, the active girls, and
Boston Alumnae Chapter, whose strength in number and organization
makes the chapter what it is. A deep love for their Alma Mater is
seen in their guestroom in the dormitory, and in their scholarship
open to all women students. I met Helen Brown Keating, who is
president of Tufts Alumnae Association; Blanche Hooper, too, a
past Grand Secretary; and Marion Rich. She was glad to see me
for a wire to her from the active chapter read, "Mrs. Stewart unex-
pectedly alive," Western Union again showing its interest and truly
knowing what I was going through. That evening ended with an
initiation and I was loath to leave, for Delta is dear. But the train
was waiting to hurry me to Gamma.

I was awakened at an early hour by the porter explaining to some-
one that there was a lady on board from California. Gladys Reed
peeked through the curtains and told me not to hurry. But I did
hurry, for I was anxious to question the porter as to why he should
think me a Californian. "So very simple," he explained, "that is
where -you bought your shoes." Two days afterward, another porter
polished those suede tops and I had to part with them for an eastern
name. In this way I lost my Californian identity. The girls frankly
confessed that "Mrs. Stewart," as I signed the telegram, was unknown
to them until one of the mothers made a suggestion and they decided
that it must be I . After this I was very-careful to sign the three
names. Please do not doubt me, but Gamma is southern in fascinat-
ing ways, including a wonderful voice that slips over consonants and
puts some in. I just listened to the sounds forgetting to answer. I f
I had not happened to be an Alpha O, I should certainly have asked
Gamma to make me one, a way that all freshmen feel who go to
Maine. Their chief desire is to have a "house" ; at present they h o l d
meetings in a classroom. I met both active and alumnae at Barbara
Dunn's where we had a most delightful afternoon. Surely nothing
more could have possibly been squeezed into one day.

At New York, I was with Eve Marty, Sigma, secretary of the
reorganized New York Alumnse Chapter. I met N u Chapter in
its room that tops the roof of New York Law College. I t is the
best place in the world for them, as that is where they are i n reality.