There
were children to the right of me and children to the left of me, north, south,
east and west, and though they didn’t “bay and thunder,” they charged the
lonely Christmas idea with such skill and loyalty that it was dispelled as a mist
before the sun. We had a lovely time, not only that day but beforehand. -- Ina
Ethel insisted upon walking Sadie at
least partway to and from school every day. Ina thought that a bit silly, but
Ethel wanted the exercise, she said, and she also thought it wise to give Ina
some time to herself and a break from the chatter.
Yesterday afternoon, Sadie delivered
a note to Ethel from Miss Johnson, her teacher. “Please see me after school
tomorrow,” the teacher wrote, “to discuss the Christmas pageant.”
As Jack had predicted, it had turned
cold, and the temperature wasn’t much above freezing. Mid-afternoon, Ethel bundled
up and headed for the schoolhouse, walking briskly. Miss Johnson greeted her
cordially and invited her to sit in one of the front desks, evoking memories of
her student days.
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| A picture of the Dickson School, Gilbert, Idaho |
“Mrs. Robinson,” Miss Johnson began,
“last year I had an idea that our Christmas play could be a “gingerbread
pageant,” and I would like to develop this idea further this year. I wonder if
you would help.”
“Why, yes” Ethel responded
hesitantly. “And if need be, I’m sure my mother and Aunt Bertha would be happy
to help as well. But Miss Johnson, exactly what is a ‘gingerbread pageant.’”
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| Dickson School, 1912 |
“That’s just it,” said Miss Johnson.
“I don’t really know myself. In my imagination, I see the children dressed as gingerbread boys and
girls, and I think refreshments might include gingerbread cookies and cakes.
Beyond that, I’m not sure. Do you think you could help me?”
Ethel felt it was a daunting task to take on someone else's imaginary world,
but on the other hand, surely they could work up some sort of program. Yes!
They could – and they would. And Ethel volunteered to come to the schoolhouse
to help with rehearsals. She had a good alto voice and loved to sing.
“I’ll get started right away,” Ethel
agreed. And then they excitedly discussed ideas for the play, the costumes, and
the refreshments. Miss Johnson agreed to find recitations and songs. Ethel said
she would make costumes for the students and organize the refreshments. KW
[In the second picture of the Dickson School, 1912, Vance Dobson (my dad) is fourth from the left in the front row. Ethel Dobson stands in the second row directly behind the 6th child in the front row.]
3 comments:
I looked at the photo before I read who was who, and recognized your dad right off!
And forgot to say that Ethel had those beautiful eyes even then. I'm smiling right now, remembering them sitting out on their porch so many days when you and I would walk by on our way to and from school.
Yes, I immediately recognized Vance as well. He reminds me of Kathy in pictures of her at about that age.
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