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The Peace Gonterence

'E heard, with no little excitement, that the much-talked-of ‘‘Peace Con-
ference” was really coming to Bryn Mawr, and naturally those of us who
were chosen to show these celebrated personages around the College were
elated above the ordinary. The grand day arrived and on our way to
the Deanery I could hear some of my companions rehearsing the bits
of information with which they were to delight these famous visitors.
“Tell me, quickly,” said one, seizing my right arm, “was the College
founded in 1689 or 1789, and who founded it; did Miss Thomas, or was she only in
the first class?” At the same time a voice on my left was distractedly saying, “I
never thought to ask before this moment, but do the Faculty have self-government,
or are they absolutely under the Faculty Rules?’ By this time we had reached the Deanery
and were ushered into a sitting-room, where President Thomas soon appeared, followed by
the Peacemakers who were to start immediately on their tour of inspection. Introductions
took place, and several little groups had already been safely launched when President Thomas’
voice suddenly arose, with a note of anxiety in it: ‘‘Does any one here speak French,” she
was asking, “‘ for the Spanish and Italian delegates do not know English?’ A few hunted
looking Seniors tried to appear unconscious and to pretend that they hadn’t heard; some
underclass men were near me, apparently feeling that the responsibility lay entirely upon
them to uphold the reputation of Bryn Mawr, began nervously muttering to themselves, “je
vous aime de tout mon coeur,’ “‘lelales,’”’ ‘ila mala la tete,” in hopes of convincing themselves
of their fitness for the task. 1, meantime, was making my way to where President Thomas
was standing. Here was my chance at last to display my knowledge of this foreign lan-
guage without waiting for Senior Year. I felt entirely equal to the undertaking, even after
hearing the names of my charges, which neither Miss Thomas nor I seemed at all capable
of mastering. My serenity was slightly troubled when the impetuous Italian dignitary
insisted on seizing my hand in both of his, shaking it violently all the way from the Deanery
to Rockefeller, during which trip I was painfully conscious of the eyes of my friends watch-
ing to see us pass. However, I managed to keep up what seemed to me a very easy and
idiomatic flow of conversation. I was surprised that these two delegates were not more |
familiar with French for I was obliged very often to repeat a remark as many as four times,
and even then they often remained apparently doubtful of the meaning of my words.
I remember perfectly well that in the midst of a description of our system of self-govern-
ment they both threw up their hands in horror and seemed to beg me to stop, repeating

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