Battling Beryl | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Battling Beryl | Previous Challenge Entry
By Corinne Smelker
03/03/22
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There were two of them. East and west. And we weren’t allowed to step into either of them. Only teachers, lecturers, the prefects and the principal were honoured with the privilege of walking across any of the two courtyards that comprised the two wings of our vast building.

I was 12 when I first entered the monolith that housed my education. Even then I was not allowed to walk in through the magnificent front stairs through the enormous double doors and on to the marble floors. No, the new girls all had to traipse in from one of the side entrances and find our way to the main hall.

After we all settled onto the floor (only staff had chairs), Miss Beryl Mullins, our headmistress addressed us. Perhaps it was because she was on the stage and standing behind a raised dais, but I had never been so intimidated by anyone in my life. Her short grey hair framed a sizeable nose. She spoke so snootily I was convinced she was related to the British Royal Family.

“Young ladies, it is our great pleasure to welcome you to the best high school in the city. Your education, deportment, sports and even your religious training will be undertaken to the highest standards. We expect nothing less than perfection from each one of you.”

Inwardly I shuddered. The eternal tomboy, there was nothing at all in this school to which I could relate. I bussed one hour one way to get to this edifice from the little farm we owned. There were other, closer, schools, but my father wanted me at this one.

“…and so, in conclusion, the only students allowed to walk across the two courtyards are prefects. Anyone caught disobeying this rule will get detention personally monitored by me.”

“Miss Lennon. I see you are back in detention.”
I looked up from my desk into steely-grey eyes. “Yes Miss Mullins.”
She sighed. I sighed. “What happened?”
“Well, it was raining, and I saw a bird bathing itself, and I had to get a closer look.”
“And what was the last infraction for?”
“Ummm, I was late for my class and decided to nip across the west courtyard.”

Miss Mullins took a deep breath, “Miss Lennon, you know the rule. Why do you insist on breaking it?”
Months of pent-up frustration came tumbling out, “It’s a stupid rule. Why can’t we walk across the courtyards? They’re beautiful but no one can enjoy them! It’s just so elitist.”

Was that the beginnings of a smile I saw in one corner of Miss Mullins’ mouth? If so, it was quickly erased. “Miss Lennon, we are teaching you to be young ladies, to be obedient, to conform to society.”

I hung my head in shame. I just couldn’t be the kind of young lady the school was churning out. The whole system was against me, and my rebellion, small as it was, was to constantly push the boundaries, and break that one rule. I can’t count the times I landed in my detention chair because of it. The number of lectures I received, both at school and then again when I got home after another long bus ride. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t become the young lady I was expected to be.

There were many calls between Miss Mullins and my parents. Who would have thought walking across a courtyard would create such a headache for everyone. I do believe expulsion was even brought up. Expulsion? For walking?

One evening, after yet one more detention, my father, with his ‘serious’ look, sat me down. After much research, and consultation with Miss Mullins, they found the perfect school for me – one that encouraged critical thinking, one with no uniforms, and barely any rules. Did I want to go? Did I just?

I walked across the courtyards several times on my final day. I looked up once to see Miss Mullins watching me. And then I saw it – a broad smile and a small shake of her head as she turned away.

My new school did not have courtyards…

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/remembering-legend-beryl-mullins-310322

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