Marion Nicholson took teaching seriously. In a McGill Normal School Letter she says she suspects some of her fellow students aren't that serious about their profession; that they hope to find a husband or merely "pupil of one" after graduation.  This letter suggests that Marion harbours her own fears about becoming 'an old maid.' For Marion's 1905  Normal School Letters CLICK HERE. "Sand Dances, Booker T Washington, McGill/Queen's Debates, cruel heartless teachers, painful exams and silly pranks." Click for 1907 Diary Entries!

Sherbrooke Quebec
September 10, 06

Dear Mother,

Have just finished my first day at school and it is not half as bad as I expected. But most of my pupils had never been at school before and their mothers had to come with them and tell me their particular troubles so that I would take particular care of them and I did not know one from the other after they had gone. Had 38 pupils today. Pretty good for a start, don't you think. Expect I will have more tomorrow. Mr Gruel came up today to hear me teach. I think he was very mean to come so soon. He might have waited till I was really settled down to work. The Phonic system is not half as bad as I thought it would be, although I have a lot to study up yet. Sat Mill Long and her cousin Irene, Ruth and I drove to Lennoxville and had a fine time. Don't know if I will send my wasting home or have it done here. Will see what it will cost first. I think that if you have not started to make that green dress, that I will have shirt waist suit and a short coat. Wish I had that black skirt. I feel like a kid among all the old maid teachers. Wish you could see them, they almost beat the Rd. ones. Wore my red and white shirtwaist suit because it was the longest one I had and I thought I would look more dignified and more like a school marm.