What house is this so draped in gloom?
Wherefore these tears in every room?
Why o’er these buildings hangs a pall?
What heavy sorrow grips Reid Hall?
No longer smiles, the sunny court.
The birds have cut their tweeting short.
The vines have left the strong firm wall.
What tragedy has clutched Reid Hall?
Wherefore the bell has lost its tone?
Why tols its meals in mournful moan?
Wherefore the trees stand not so tall?
What saddens now once gay Reid Hall?
The ghost of Chevreuse tragic, wail.
No longer Gillie wags his tail.
The coffee tastes of bitter fall.
What great mishap befell Reid Hall?
Alas ! Miss Leet is going far!
She, who was once our guiding star.
Revered, admired by us all.
O woe indeed! She leaves Reid Hall.
Her gracious smile, so full of charm.
No longer hearts of guests will warm!
Her tact and kindness to us all,
Brightens no longer sad Reid Hall.
To think our loss is New York’s gain,
That our great sacrifice’s not vain,
By no means can disperse the pall
That hangs so heavy on Reid Hall!
But now to her, we say, “godspeed!”
May happiness be hers indeed!
And where life leads her in its call,
There follows her in thought Reid Hall!
Jean Gardiner, head of the Delaware Program at Reid Hall.
March 17, 1938