The Headmasters Papers by Richard A. Hawley

Author:Richard A. Hawley [Hawley, Richard A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781891053979
Publisher: Garrett County Press

THE NEW SONS

When all the boys were at last bored

With their fathers’ gleaming automobiles,

After they, specters in all their hair,

Smells, grit, and gypsy gear

Had spoiled their mothers’ brilliant kitchens,

Knew too much or too little for learning,

Had fallen to drugs or drifting,

When these, shameful in their own soil,

Had ceased sullenly to matter,

There were new sons.

Such boys. Modest but alive

With questions, interested in no machine

Nor manning any, they spoke like sages,

Venerated the good and left the famous

Open-mouthed before the public;

Disease and its massive medicine gave way,

And there was simple health; houses

Came to fit the features of their families;

Between each city a distance restored

And with it wonder.

11 December

Mr. and Mrs. Asa Lewandowski

1446 Trelawney Avenue

Rumson, New Jersey

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lewandowski,

Although so much was said this past week, I want to say once again how completely and thoroughly the thoughts and love of everybody here are with you. While you were here, the services and the talk made David seem very much among us. Now will be the tough time. I am glad your daughters and their families are there for your support.

I have enclosed the copy you requested of my hastily composed remarks for the memorial chapel. They should have been fuller and stronger, but they do suggest something of the affection in which David was held here.

I also enclose David’s journal for Mr. Hodge’s composition class. David may have told you that the class was required to write at least a page per day on any subject. I think you’ll agree that something of David’s energy and enthusiasm shine forth from this log—it’s David, all right.

I have not forgotten your kind offer of a commencement prize in David’s name nor your intention to contribute money set aside for his tuition here to a scholarship candidate. You honor us very much with both gestures. There is plenty of time to work out the particulars, so please don’t bother about them for the time being.

I will convey your regards to Mrs. Greeve.

With my love and good wishes,

John O. Greeve

12 December

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Ryder

175 Old Church Road

Dedham, Massachusetts

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Ryder,

By now Carl has told you about his latest trouble here in the biology lab. Frankly, we find ourselves baffled by it. We don’t know whether it is an instance of childish cruelty, or submerged anger, or of something else. Carl himself doesn’t seem to be sure. The startling fact of the matter is that during Morning Break yesterday, Carl made his way into the lab and proceeded to cut off the tails of our six gerbils. Fortunately, I think, he was spotted by Mr. Fiore leaving the lab some time during mid-break, so we have been spared the unease of wondering who among us mutilated the animals.

The incident raises a number of concerns.

(1) Is Carl a danger to other boys and to property here? We are fully aware that many boys pass through a phase of murderous cruelty to animals. Some boys half-sublimate this into “experiments.” Some turn it inward into temporary phobias of mice, spiders, etc.

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