For the most part no great art or skill was lavished on those old tombstones . The larger number are of roughly chiselled brown or gray native stone , and only in a few cases is there any attempt at ornamentation . Some are adorned with skull and cross-bones , and this grizzly decoration is frequently coupled with a cherub 's head . Many are prostrate and in ruins . Into almost all Time 's tooth has been gnawing , until some inscriptions have been completely effaced , and others can only be deciphered with difficulty . The graveyard is very full and very bowery , for it is surrounded and intersected by rows of elms and willows , beneath whose shade the sleepers must lie very dreamlessly , forever crooned to by the winds and leaves over them , and quite undisturbed by the clamor of traffic just beyond . Anne took the first of many rambles in Old St. John 's the next afternoon . She and Priscilla had gone to Redmond in the forenoon and registered as students , after which there was nothing more to do that day . The girls gladly made their escape , for it was not exhilarating to be surrounded by crowds of strangers , most of whom had a rather alien appearance , as if not quite sure where they belonged . The `` freshettes '' stood about in detached groups of two or three , looking askance at each other ; the `` freshies , '' wiser in their day and generation , had banded themselves together on the big staircase of the entrance hall , where they were shouting out glees with all the vigor of youthful lungs , as a species of defiance to their traditional enemies , the Sophomores , a few of whom were prowling loftily about , looking properly disdainful of the `` unlicked cubs '' on the stairs . Gilbert and Charlie were nowhere to be seen . `` Little did I think the day would ever come when I 'd be glad of the sight of a Sloane , '' said Priscilla , as they crossed the campus , `` but I 'd welcome Charlie 's goggle eyes almost ecstatically . At least , they 'd be familiar eyes . '' `` Oh , '' sighed Anne . `` I ca n't describe how I felt when I was standing there , waiting my turn to be registered -- as insignificant as the teeniest drop in a most enormous bucket . It 's bad enough to feel insignificant , but it 's unbearable to have it grained into your soul that you will never , can never , be anything but insignificant , and that is how I did feel -- as if I were invisible to the naked eye and some of those Sophs might step on me . I knew I would go down to my grave unwept , unhonored and unsung . '' `` Wait till next year , '' comforted Priscilla . `` Then we 'll be able to look as bored and sophisticated as any Sophomore of them all . No doubt it is rather dreadful to feel insignificant ; but I think it 's better than to feel as big and awkward as I did -- as if I were sprawled all over Redmond .
That 's how I felt -- I suppose because I was a good two inches taller than any one else XXXXX the crowd .
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