THE SIXTH FORM SOCIAL.1925

The Fourth Annual Sixth Form Social, more generally known as "The Bust-Up" or " Do," was held on December 18th, at the School.
There were present the Headmaster, Mr. Prowse, and the masters taking the sixth form; a huge crowd of "Old Bustuppians," including our former Headmaster, Mr.King, the old sixth form Master, Mr. Cowley, and two former head prefects in S. Shone and L.A Moules; and the whole of the present sixth form. Messrs. Reaney and Belchambers were unfortunately unable to attend.
The whole company partook of a meal, known for the sake of convenience as "supper," in the Banqueting Hall, or rather the Physics Lab., "got up" for the occasion. The utmost good humour prevailed throughout the feast, and it was a most gratifying sight to watch Masters "putting away" sausage rolls mid dignified prefects balancing jelly on a fork. On such ocasions as these, when everybody does his best, it is invidious to mention names, but certainly that eminent prefect, Mr W-------, indulged in gastronomic feats which were the admiration of all.
To do justice to the good taste of people who are Monovians, and aldo "Bustuppians", the company divided its patronage almost equally among the good things to be had. But it was noticeable that they sedulously avoided a certain dish, which had been concocted by several sixth formers, a dish known in higher stages of manufacture as "trifle."
Our head waiter (the caretaker, bedecked in an umpire's coat) having disposed of a large quantity of ginger-pop and coffee, our Head Prefect made a short speech which was typically Snaith in its good humoured cheerfulness. He said how good it was to see those fellows and masters who had left, and also those masters who never leave, a reference to certain of the older members of the Staff which was vociferously appreciated.
The Headmaster, in reply, said how surprised he was at the existence of the "Bust-Up," and acknowledged that it was a splendid institution. He expressed his dismay, however, that not all the dishes had been completely cleared. He thought perhaps greater justice might have been done to them, an observation which drew looks of pained surprise from several beaming countenances.
The repast and the speeches finished, the company retired to the Assembly Hall, there to indulge in the hectic delights of chess and dominoes, and, above all, to talk of old times and future times too. Masters puffed their pipes in great peace and content as they surrendered themselves to cards or conversation; undergraduates (quite a number of them nowadays!) brandished long cigarette-holders, and flapped their trousers; more youthful "Bustuppians" merely puffed spasmodically at their cigarettes and coughed.
In the meantime, an opportunity was given to introduce Old Boys to our new Headmaster, and to Mr. Whitt, our new English Master.
Messrs. Lothian, Woodhurst, and Moules provided music with the aid of the piano, and Mr. King rendered songs from Gilbert and Sullivan. Rabson, in his well-known style, recited Mr. G.K. Chesterton's "Grocers."
Meanwhile, we discussed old times and recalled our youthful escapades; our University friends regaled us with stories of the wild night life of Oxford and Cambridge; some discussed very learned subjects over the chess-board; while those who were still at school told Old Boys how the old place had deteriorated since they left, for such incense must needs be burnt! Indeed, everybody had something to say and said it most cheerfully and, as always on these occasions, time passed much too quickly. The proceedings closed in the usual manner with the singing of Auld Lang Syne, and in due deference to the caretaker, who was working overtime, all retired on the respectable side of midnight.
A.E.H. (Vith)