Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-02-08
SCHOOLGIRL FRIENDSHIP.
characteristics of the Different "Sets"
of School Girls.
From the Youths Companion,

From the Youths Companion.
In almost every school for girls there
will be "eliques" and 'sets," each of which
has its own prevailing tone, its manners
and CUSTOMS and its way of looking at the
world and at other people. The contrasted
behavior OF the different sets, even in
comparatively small school, is often anus
ing and instructive.
The first is-we put it first because IL
always puts itself frst-will be the Ex-
elusive Set. The girls composing it are
few and select, although the exact prin-
ciple of selection is not always plain.
They pride themselves on being haughtily
civil to all the other girls, and on know
ing as little of them as possible.
"Oh, yes" one of them will say, politely,
if she is questioned concerning school
mate not Of the mystic circle, "she is very
pretty and bright and attractive, and all
that, and seems to be lovely girl, but l
only know her to say good morning to.
She's not in Our Set"
This set provokes much laughter and
some envy among those not included in it,
but it does small harm, except, perhaps, to
its own weak-minded members, who do
not always readily outgrow the habit of
thinking and living in very narrow
limits.
The Sarcastic Set is much worse. 1t is
also small and somewhat exclusive, but it
is not content TO let outsiders alone. 1t
snubs them, criticises them and laughs at
them. 1t is the more feared and disliked
because it often includes some of the
brightest scholars, girls who enjoy the
oh
freely on their fellows, secure of the appre-
citation and admiration of the faithful few
whom they do not cause to vince.
The Gushing Set is silly, but kindlier.
It's members go about with arms inter-
twined, chatter and giggle great deal,
and frequently pounce upon each other
with estate little shakes or sudden kisses.
They whisper and write notes they tease
each other and blush; they always have
an important secret, or several important
secrets, to talk about in corners; they are
fervently devoted to one another, but quite
pleasant and amiable to other people when
they happen to remember their existence.
The girls forming each set regard them
selves as intimate friends, but the ways in
which they manifest their intimacy also
differ. The gushers often display more
affection than consideration, and in forget
ting formalities are too apt to forget also
much essential politeness. They are also
reckless in their condolences. They often
have to suffer searching cheeks when they
remember, in cooler moment, the foolish
things they have said.
The sarcastic girls occasionally turn
their tongues against one another, and the
offended exclusives, in council assembled,
resolve to exclude one of their own num-
Der. The group of friends who can pass
through school and graduate without hav-
ing at any time had quarrel within their
ranks is indeed exceptional.
1t is also fortunate The squabbles of
school girls are not important matters.
The girls who call each other ''mean
things and Hateful little cats" and
never mean to speak again, usually do
speak again, and that soon, as everybody
knows.
Often they become as good friends as
ever, and remain such, and then it matters
least, since friends can afford to forgive
and forget; but many of the friendships
cease through separation or natural pro-
cess of growing apart.
How much better it is, then, for the
friends who have become strangers to have
to look back upon no regretted condolences,
no exactions, no undigni6ed squahbles, no
rudeness under the guise of familiarity.
How much better that, in place of folly,
a sharp word, scornful look, lingering in
the memory, there should remain in the
heart of each gracious remembrance Of
past comradeship ready to kindle at need
not again the old intimacy of girlhood, but
the warm impulse that inspires the word
of comfort in sorrow and the hand stretched
ont tn helm