The day is getting shorter and
night rushes on earlier. The ice
cream stores are losing business,
for the sun which brings them
customers is gradually losing its
intensity. No more sunbathing,
no more boat riding, tbe beach
almost deserted, for far away in
the horizon approaches fall sum
moning everyone to wake up from
the relaxation and excitement
of the Summer vacation. Once
more, it is time to get business
into full swing.
“Rita, honey, I can’t believe
the three months vacation is all
over so soon. I wish it was long
er.”
“Mom, called little ed, I can’t
find my schoolbag nor my lunch
box. I remember you kept them
somewhere.” Such were the
conversations from some summer
fans.
For Amy it was a time for mak
ing a radical decission. For days,
she has been dwelling in melan
choly. She appeared to have lost
interest in the daily activities of
her cherished home. She is no
longer the lively and cheerful
daughter she had always been.
At the table, no word comes from
her. On her face could be dis
cerned every trait of internal
anguish. Before dusk, she
retires to her bed. Her anger
directed towards ber father who
had expressed his preference in
her going, at the end of summer,
to Eton College which is about
twelve hours drive from their
home. Amy is not pleased. She
would rather go to any of the
Colleges near her home. She
considers her father’s choice a
plot aimed at estranging her from
home where she has been given
to being pet and showered with
love being tbe one daughter of a
family with four children.
Schools resume in a week’s
time. Amy is better. She con
fines herself to her room and
spends the day musing over
the matter. While alone she seems
to hear an inner voice wisper —
look!
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All the kids in my class are go
ing to colleges a few miles from
home. They can always come
home on weekends. Wait a min
ute! Martha is going to Willis-
burg College which is pretty far.
But Hellen is going there too.
How lucky are they. At least they
wouldn’t feel lost in a strange
world. Oh! Tim how sad it will
be to miss you for so long. I am
not sure he wouldn’t run around
with girls in his college. Of
course, he is a cute guy and girls
will take to him. I shall see him
again during the Christmas
holidays. Oh what a sonderful
Christmas that will be.
Thus lying prone on her bed,
her face expressionless, eyes fix
ed on the ceiling and her hands
clasped on her chest, these
thoughts raced through her mind
like a river with a high current
rushing down a cliff. Apparently
she was at Square Park with Tim,
in a pool, throwing water at each
other, swimming and competing
to reach the other end first. Un
noticed, Mrs. Robinson walked
into her room. Wasn’t she a-
mazed to see Amy at 12 mid
night still lying awake looking
so pale and helpless. Seeing her,
all the tenderness, affection and
concern she once had for her
baby at six month’s flashed upon
her. She sat at the edge of the
bed, placing her hand on her fore
head she bent down and kissed
her baby saying — Honey, I
have spoken to your Daddy and
he said you may go to any college
of your preference, but that you
should realize that Eton College
is one of the best colleges in the
country and the competition for
entry is very high. You were
lucky to be given admission and
some financial aid. Love, I do un
derstand your problem. Living in
a school that’s far from home
means a lot. But that doesn’t
warrant your lamentation. Look,
I couldn’t recognize you when I
came in. Remember at seventeen
you are approaching woman
hood. It is time for you to face
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the reality of life. As a woman
you are bound to leave us one
day. This is just a prelude to that
occasion. We aren’t going to live
your life for you.
Life is a placement for every
one to take an adventure into
the unknown. It is only with de
termination and courage that
one achieves our admirable suc
cess. Can you avid this expedi
tion?
Mom! Do you realize I will be
the only one going to that col
lege from here. That’s what both
ers me.
No, love, there is someone
going with you. Amy hearing this,
sat up with her ears widely open
ed to hear the name of the person.
The Lord! said the Mother.
Whereever you are he is always
with you. He is the best compan
ion you can ever have. More
over, he will always direct you to
the right place and friends: Amy
you did not come into this world
with a bunch of friends, but walk
ing through the paths of life you
came across many people but
made few friends. Those were
the people the Lord had in stock
for you. But now he wants you
to meet people from a different
sphere of life; hence you were
given financial aid at Eton Col
lege. Variety is the spice of life,
and you should be thankful.
Mom, do you think I shall be
happy there? I think my father
is being selfish and inconsiderate.
Amy you are responsible for
whatever you are. If you a nice
lovely and lovable person, people
will like you and take to you.
But, if you are prejudiced against
society, in repayment that so
ciety will find you disgusting.
People around you will complain
of unhappiness, so wherever
you are try to make the best of
the place.
Thank you mom. This is the
best advice I’ve ever had from
you and I’ll try to live up to it.
In the morning I’ll a[)()ligize to
dad. I am sure; he is aware of my
grudges against him.