Incensed by the practical joke that apparently everyone in the senior class was in on, Betty offers her schoolmates a rather sarcastic parting shot by addressing them with, "Farewell, dear hearts and gentle people." The line is from the lyrics and title of a popular song written by Sammy Fain and Bob Hilliard in 1949 and recorded by such artists as Dinah Shore. Betty's sarcasm succeeds with an understanding that the song is a paean of sorts to a loving, caring, admirable community of people.
Betty's erstwhile steady boyfriend Ralph is mentioned as a possible date for the upcoming dance. Although Ralph's name has come up in several episodes this season and last, his final appearance as an on-screen character occurred at the start of season 5 in Vine Covered Cottage (1958).