ANNA KREBS
BOARDING SCHOOL.
The grammar-school age children of the Krebs family
rode their ponies in all but the most severe weather to a one-room schoolhouse
near St. Lawrence, where classes were held in German for ages 6-14, all
packed together more or less, companionably. At least my mother remembered
it fondly.
However, after several years, their mother decided
that two of her girls should attend a convent boarding-school in Milwaukee,
where they would learn English, Art, Music and manners, in addition to
a few academic subjects.
Margaret and Anna were the chosen ones, and although
Margaret, at age 11, was 4 years older than Anne, they got along very well
in their big and little sister relationship. At least they had each other
as they struggled to learn English and adapt to life in an all-girls school
away from home and family.
Soon after they arrived, one little miss, a bit
older than they and certainly full of mischief, took them in hand. She
was bi-lingual, speaking German and English equally well.
"I will tell you how to make Mother Superior like
you," she offered, They were all ears and ready to learn.
"The next time you meet her in the hallway you must
speak to her in English, walk up to her and bow and say 'Mother Superior,
you are a silly old goose!'" She had them repeat this little speech until
they could say it perfectly.
The very next day, as Margaret and Anna were on
their way to class, along came Mother Superior, walking towards them,
They trotted up to her. She stopped and smilingly
waited, sensing by their manner that they wished to speak with her.
And then they said it, smiling back charmingly:
"Mother Superior, you are a silly old goose!"
"What? What?" said she, amazed!
They repeated their speech.
A sudden light of understanding shone from her kindly
face!
"Who taught you to say this to me?" she asked in
German.
Margaret answered, "Elizabeth. She said it was a
nice thing to say to you. . .she said it would make you like us." They
looked up at her anxiously.
With that she put an arm around each of them, and
gave them a warm hug. "But I do like you anyway, Margaret and Anna. And
I am very angry with Elizabeth, because what she has taught you to say
is something very impolite! I will take care of her all right! Now run
along to your class, and from now on, stay away from Elizabeth!"
"Yes, mother," they replied, and trotted off.
NEXT: GRANDMOTHER CORDELIA.
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