My Wonderful Year | Page 5

of the cab, which is flat and has a rail around
it, or it is strapped on the floor of the driver's compartment. If you are a
backseat driver, which I am, it is quite a temptation to not ask the driver
to move from the left side of the street to the right, but I learned in time
that traffic in England is on the left side of the street. I was continually
dodging traffic during my stay in England, dodging on the right from
habit and on the left from necessity.

Riding alone at night without any fear for the first time in the world's
largest city made me feel grateful for the circumstances that had sent
me adventuring, but I was more than happy when the taxicab stopped
before a very imposing edifice of stone and the driver said, "This is
College Hall."
CHAPTER III
COLLEGE HALL
When the cab driver rang the bell, a very trim maid opened a massive
door, and I was deposited trunk and all in the vestibule of the hall. My
trunk was very heavy, carrying ninety-eight pounds excess baggage. I
was astonished at one man being able to carry it. This was my first
experience with taxi drivers and I learned on this occasion that they are
always tipped sixpence regardless of the fare. On the boat, I had taken
to the purser's office some of my American money and exchanged it for
English coins. Very laboriously I counted out the fare plus the sixpence
tip plus a shilling for having my trunk brought in. The maid led me to
one of the individual parlors and there amidst straight back chairs and a
homey fire I waited for Miss Lucie I. Dobson, the bursar of College
Hall, a commanding looking, but gracious and kind lady. Miss Dobson
took me to my room and ordered tea for me. I had expected more than
just tea and bread and preserves. Being already tired and now hungry
and disappointed, I went to bed and did not awaken even when my
trunk was brought into the room until twelve the following day.
For the next few days I was initiated into the routine of College Hall.
Some of the rules which were strictly enforced were these : Breakfast,
8:15-9:15 a.m. (week-days)
Tea, 4-5 p.m. daily
Dinner, 7 p.m.
(Saturday: Dinner, I p.m.; Supper, 7 p.m.)
(Sunday: Breakfast, 9-10 a.m.; Dinner, I p.m.; Supper, 8 p.m.)

Students returning to the Hall after 11:30 p.m. (Sunday, n p.m.) without
special leave from the Principal will incur a fine of 2 s. (two shillings)
Students may not receive male visitors other than their fathers or
brothers in their own rooms, but in the Common rooms only.
Permission to use the Brodrick Room (for which a small charge will be
made) must be obtained from the Principal.
Students are permitted to smoke in their own rooms, in the small room
provided for the purpose. Smoking is not allowed in any other part of
the Hall.
The directions for using the lift must be most carefully observed, or it
will be put out of action. The lift may be used for the higher floors only.
Students are expected to walk down the staircases at all times, and the
lift must not be used after 10 p.m.
College Hall is the newly-erected modern residence for women
students of the University of London, especially those from across the
seas. My residence at the Hall afforded me an opportunity to be a part
of the college life around me and to absorb by everyday contacts the
English culture. There was an intimate group of ten students, three
English girls, two Canadian girls, one Swedish girl, two girls from
India, and two American girls, of which number I made the second. A
friendship formed and one I valued very much was with the secretary
of the Student Christian Movement. This organization is especially
valuable to the foreigner who has no friends in London, but my living
in a college dormitory did not make me as dependent upon the
organization for diversion as I would have been otherwise. The club
house is located at 32 Russell Square.
College Hall has one hundred seventy study bedrooms in addition to
the library, cloak room, individual parlors, waiting room, private parlor,
game room, roof garden, large and small common rooms, which we
call reception rooms, foyer, living quarters for the principal and her
assistants and also for the maids, dining room, and kitchens. In the
foyer is a very imposing plaque in recognition of a visit made to the
hall by her Majesty, Queen Mary, in 1934.

The rooms are very comfortable. Much to my pleasure my room faced
the street. Each room contained a studio couch bed, a chest of