He laughed. “No girl of mine is going around flunking industrious young students, either. You might remember that!”
Gerald was true to his word. Every day until exam day he drilled Jean in the intricacies of the nervous system. And when she went in to face the examining board, she felt more confident than she ever believed she would feel.
Dr. Barsch headed the board. Dr. Daley, Dr. Jenkins, Ted and Eileen asked the questions, but Jean was sure enough of herself to enjoy the ordeal. As the exam went on, the doctors and Eileen became more relaxed. Jean was a favorite among the staff members, and they were as anxious as she that she do well.
Finally with beaming faces, the board came to the end of the questions. Dr. Barsch looked around at the staff.
“I guess there’s no question in anyone’s mind, is there?”
They all shook their heads.
Dr. Barsch stood up. “Then I want to be the first to congratulate you, Miss Craig. Your work here at the clinic has been more than satisfactory. It will be a pleasure to have you take part in our ‘capping’ exercises tomorrow night.”
The following night, Jean and her whole class gathered together outside of the small auditorium of the clinic. To the immense relief of all, they all had passed their final exams and were ready to be capped. Their families had already gathered in the auditorium, and Dr. Gallup was on the platform together with Dr. Barsch and the rest of the staff.
The girls were all dressed in fresh, immaculate white uniforms. Finally they received the signal and marched into the auditorium together. They all sat down in the first row.
Dr. Gallup and the staff rose as the girls took their seats. Dr Barsch stepped to the front of the stage.