Wandered to Smith College
In pursuit of knowledge;
Leaves so much the wiser,
Nothing can surprise her!
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weather, and she was in high spirits.
Various college dignitaries met her at the station; one of these had given up a suite of rooms for her use; she was soon established in much peace and comfort.
Wednesday, October 5, was a day of perfect autumn beauty.
She was early dressed in her white dress, with the college gown of rich black silk over it, the “mortarboard” covering in like manner her white lace cap. Thus arrayed, a wheeled chair conveyed her to the great hall, already packed with visitors and graduates, as was the deep platform with college officials and guests of honor.
Opposite the platform, as if hung in air, a curving gallery was filled with white-clad girls, some two thousand of them; as she entered they rose like a flock of doves, and with them the whole audience.
They rose once more when her name was called, last in the list of those honored with degrees; and as she came forward, the organ pealed, and the great chorus of fresh young voices broke out with
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord--”
It was the last time.
Later in the day the students of Chapin House brought their guest-book, begging for her autograph.
She looked at Laura with a twinkle.
“Do you think they would like me to write something?”
Assured on that point, she waited a moment, and then wrote after her signature,--
Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston and New York. 1916.
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