“Calm down, Ellen,” admonished Mary Jane as the two dressed for school on the first of May. “You’ll never get my dress buttoned in back the way you’re shaking!”
“I can’t help it! These old final exams have me scared stiff. I can just see Mr. Blodgett solemnly opening my sealed doom in the presence of those witnesses. I just can’t think straight after that. I wish I was young like you and didn’t have to take them.”
“Oh, you’ll do okay! You got A’s just about all year.”
“Yes, but I could ruin my whole average by flubbing the tests. And I just know I’ll do it too! In the first place, my head aches from studying until 12:30.
“The final exams were a frightening ordeal – coming from the county headquarters in sealed packets. They were to be witnessed strictly and the written exams again sealed in the presence of the witnesses. This formal process, together with the fact that the textbooks county-wide were not all uniform, made them dreaded and hated by everyone. Ellen had settled down to good hard work this year. Her breezy carefree attitude of former years had been conquered by a gifted history teacher who had somehow sparked her to real studious effort. If only her mind wouldn’t panic now!
Jennie was leaving high school. She had never been anything but a beautiful student and, as expected, this year she was taking top honors. These were to be rewarded with a full scholarship to the state university. Because of her high average, and being a privileged senior, she had been exempt from county exams. Now she could coast in on her laurels.
In the Hillman’s children’s eyes, Daddy was, as dads should be, loved and respected. Every human being has some outstanding faults, however. Among his was a stubborn conviction that the farm work should always have priority – without much exception. If the “weeds is takin’ us,” plans were changed to eradicate the weeds – often at the expense of some bitter tears from the children. If the pinto beans were ready to be cut, they were cut; and some children stayed home from school if necessary. Having had so little formal schooling himself, Daddy entered into the milestones his children met and passed in school only work permitting. He wanted them to do their best and praised scholarship, but –.
Two weeks after exams, graduation day arrived. Ellen was leaving grammar school, and this class combined with the senior graduates, was to be feted and awarded that night. Ellen was completely uncertain as to her fate, but Jennie was confident. Excitement was very high.
Mamma looked worried. She knew her husband’s weakness (or strength, whichever view one cares to take). She knew that he had undertaken a lengthy and difficult task that day. And she also sensed that it was not going well. Supper time had arrived, and still the men folk had not come in. At last a dejected and weary Robbie came in from the barn.
“Mom, I hate to say this, but Dad sent me to tell you that he’ll be late to supper.”
“Oh, dear! How late?”
“Well,” Robbie gulped, “maybe, he’ll be done in another hour.”
“No, Mom. He said the grain has to be treated tonight, cause we’ve got to plant it. You know that little rain we had – the ground will be just right. He said he was sorry, but –.”
The girls could hardly believe their ears.
“Daddy’s got to come! Why, we can’t even go to the graduation if he doesn’t get in for another hour!” Mary Jane sputtered.
“Mother, do something!” Ellen was almost in shock.
“We’ve just got to go,” Jennie put in firmly. “Even if we have to walk. Let’s see, maybe we could make it if we started right now.” And Jennie was looking at the clock figuring.
“But my hair! And my new white shoes!” It was all too much for prim little Ellen. A floodgate opened and hot tears began to flow.
Clara had said nothing. But now she came forward. “Oh, Ellen, blow your nose and stop bawling like that. I’ll drive you to town.”
“You!” ejaculated Lori, “Why you just barely know how to shift the gears in the new Chevie.”
“Well? I know how, and that’s what it takes.”
“But, Clara, do you think you’d be brave enough to drive on the state highway? And what about a license?” said worried Mamma.
But Clara was going out the kitchen door calling over her shoulder, “I’m asking Pop. You kids go ahead and eat. I’m pretty sure he’ll let me.”
Some little time later, the five girls were seated in the neat little blue Chevie. Ellen’s eyes were still red from crying, but every ruffle and hair was in place. All eyes were on Clara.
“Well, now, let’s see. We turn this thing-a-ma-jig here and push on the starter down here.”
The little motor came to life with a great roar as Clara pushed down too far on the accelerator.
“Woops! Gotta watch that. Now hold on, kids. It may be a bit jumpy here till I get going.”
They lurched forward only to come to an untimely halt.
“I’ll be jiggered! What do you reckon I did wrong? Maybe I let up on the gas too quick. We’ll try again.”
But the little carburetor had been favored with too much gas and was flooded.
“Good night! I smell gas. What have you done to it, Clara?” cried Jennie.
“Well, if you can do any better just get over here behind the wheel!” Clara was flustered and getting more so. “If it’s just flooded, it’ll start in a few minutes. Now if you’ll keep your shirts on and be quiet, maybe I can do something.”
Ellen was dabbing at her eyes again. Lori and Jennie had their eyes shut in silent prayer.
At last the motor was successfully started. After about two healthy jerks, they were rolling down the lane.
“If you help me watch for cars on the highway, maybe I’ll be lucky and not need to stop,” Clara called.
With everyone’s solicited and unsolicited help, they arrived at the auditorium just about starting time.
“Where have you been? Quick, get in line!” came from several directions as the girls appeared.
“Ellen! You did it!” squealed her girl friend Ruthie Carter as she grabbed Ellen’s arm. “You got one point over Donald Shelton! Oh! I’m so proud of you!”
From then on the girls were in a different world a world in which they figured for once. The superintendent of the county school system, a stately, charming lady gave the usual flattering address with phrases designed to inspire the children to high goals in worldly achievements. It all sounded pretty grand to Mary Jane, and she noticed that Ellen’s chin was up just a little.
It was a bit embarrassing to explain the absence of Mamma and Daddy; so the girls left as soon as possible after the ceremony. Safe in the Chevie (which Clara started almost smoothly) Mary Jane remarked with a tinge of bitterness in her voice, “Well, it just serves Daddy right! I guess he’ll be good and sorry he missed being so proud of you girls. I hope –.”
“Oh, for pity’s sake, Mary Jane!” Clara scolded. “You want to eat, don’t you? Can’t you understand Daddy’s side a little? The only rain we had all spring just came a couple of days ago and if we don’t plant now, we might as well forget it. You got to go, didn’t you? I don’t want to hear any more complaining.”
“Yes, but a person doesn’t graduate every day –.”
“No, but unfortunately you want to eat every day. Poor Daddy has enough worries.”
“You know, I couldn’t help thinking as Mrs. King was urging us to reach for a star and go on to higher goals, we sure hear the exact opposite at the meeting. I was reading yesterday too in Jeremiah. There was a verse: ‘Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not,’ it says. So don’t let it go to your head, Ellen. The Lord wants us to work well, but not to strive for honors. Of course, I intend, Lord willing, to use my scholarship. I trust it’s His will and that He will keep me from getting away from Him.”
“Oh, Jennie, you’re always so good! Weren’t you a teeny bit proud tonight?” exclaimed Ellen.
Jennie’s eyes dropped. “I did have to confess that to Him more than once.”
Daddy met them at the door. Clara dropped behind Mary Jane and jabbed her elbow into her youngest sister’s back.
“Daddy! It was wonderful! Jennie and Ellen both got the honors!” Mary Jane discreetly stopped as Clara stood near.
“Well, well! Congratulations! I’m mighty glad to hear it!” He kissed the two so honored. “And, Clara, honey, thanks! I reckon you saved the day. It was a pretty hard deal. I’m sorry – right sorry.” And a little tear rolled down his cheek. He turned quickly to open the door.
Mary Jane had hoped he would be hurt and really feel bad. She could see her naughty wish had come true, but it didn’t make her feel good at all.
“See?” hissed Clara near her ear.