The Nicest Girl in the School: A Story of School Life Page 15

  CHAPTER XV

  Speech Day

  A night's rest did much to restore the two girls after their terribleexperience on the rocks. By next morning, though Muriel's foot stillhurt her when she walked, they were both well enough to return toschool, where, as you may imagine, they had many things to relate totheir companions, who were brimming over with eagerness to hear a fulland detailed account of the whole adventure. Muriel had a long interviewwith Miss Lincoln in the library, from which she emerged with red eyes,and, escaping from her friends, retired to her bedroom, and, drawing thecurtains of her cubicle, spent the afternoon alone. She was strangelysoftened and subdued; she said little when Vera, Kitty, and Maudstammered out their apologies for deserting her on the shore, andappeared so preoccupied and thoughtful at tea-time, that she scarcelynoticed when the others spoke to her. Patty, who guessed what wastroubling her cousin, took her aside before preparation for a fewminutes' private talk.

  "Never mind telling about the Caesar translation, Muriel," she said. "Idon't care in the least. No one believes now that it was mine, and you'dnever do such a thing again, I know; so what does it matter to whom itbelonged? It's quite an old story now."

  "I've told Miss Harper already," said Muriel, "and all the class willknow about it to-morrow. Yes, Patty, I'd rather, thank you, I wouldindeed."

  "Then I shall go to Miss Harper," declared Patty, who wished to save hercousin the humiliation of a public confession. "You shan't do this on myaccount!"

  To her surprise, Miss Harper took quite a different view of the matter.

  "No, Patty," she said, decisively. "It is generous of you to want tospare Muriel, but it is only right that she should bear the blame ofwhat she has done herself, instead of leaving it on another's shoulders.She is making a very big effort, and we must not spoil her sacrifice. Ifshe clears your reputation before all the class, she will have made whatreparation she can, and have taken a first step on the straight path. Itis not always wise to shield people from the consequences of their ownfaults, however much we may wish to, and you will be doing her a greaterkindness by helping her to keep certain good resolutions she has made.I hope this affair may make a crisis in Muriel's life, and that we mayexpect better things from her in the future. I am sure she is trulysorry for having allowed you to be misjudged. Just at first, I confess,I myself believed you to be guilty, though it was difficult to reconcileyour ownership of the book with what I knew of you. Variouscircumstances, however, caused me to change my opinion, and I wasconvinced that a great injustice had been done to you, which I shall nowbe very glad to have the opportunity of setting right."

  When the girls, therefore, were assembled on the following morning atnine o'clock, Miss Harper, before she dismissed the lower division, saidthat she wished to speak a few words to the whole class.

  "You will all recollect," she began, "a distressing affair which tookplace last term. A translation of Caesar was found by a monitress in thisroom, and I had reason to believe it was the property of a member of theupper division. Though we mentioned no names at the time, suspicionattached itself strongly to one girl, who has since borne the blame ofthe occurrence. I am glad to be able to assure you that this girl wasperfectly innocent. The real offender has confessed her fault, and nowwishes to tell you how sorry she is for the unworthy part which she hasplayed. Yes, it is on Muriel's behalf I am speaking," she continued, asthe latter quietly left her seat and came, with a pale face, to stand bythe teacher's side. "I think you will all appreciate the attempt she ismaking to atone for the wrong which she has done, and that instead ofreproaching her you will allow the subject to drop, and will unite inkeeping up such a high standard for the future, that the reputation ofthe Fourth Class may equal that of any other at The Priory. You mayreturn to your place, Muriel, and I will trust to your school-fellows'honour to treat your confession with the consideration it deserves."

  Miss Harper did not appeal to the class in vain. Though several girlscongratulated Patty privately, none mentioned the matter in Muriel'shearing, or made any alteration in their behaviour to her. It wasevident that the cousins were now on very different terms with oneanother, and Patty had so won all hearts that, with the exception ofVera, everybody was delighted at the change.

  "I always knew Muriel would be nice to you in the end," said Avis. "Allthe girls who were nasty have come round, even Kitty Harrison and MaudGreening. Ella Johnson told me how you stopped her and Doris and Mayfrom reading in bed, and how thankful they were afterwards to you, whenBeatrice Wynne was found out at the same thing, and got into suchterrible trouble. The only one who holds back is Vera, and that'sbecause she's so jealous of Muriel; but I don't believe Muriel will everbe really friends with her again: she can't forgive her for whathappened on the shore at Moorcliffe. She says Vera ran away and left herto be drowned, and you stayed and saved her life. I hardly expectthey'll have a bedroom together next term."

  "I don't want them to quarrel on my account," said Patty. "I've nothingagainst Vera."

  "Well, whether she likes you or not doesn't matter," said Enid. "I thinkyou're the sweetest girl I've ever met, and I don't mind telling anybodyso if they ask for my opinion. No, you needn't blush, because it's quitetrue, and everyone else in the school would say the same."

  It was now getting very near to the end of the term, and all at ThePriory were beginning to look forward to the long summer holidays.Speech Day, always a great occasion, was this year to be of more thanusual importance, as the prizes were to be distributed by Sir JohnCarston, the Member of Parliament for the County, whose wife was also tobe present.

  "And of course hosts of parents and friends," said Enid, "to clap andlook pleased and say pretty things about us. My mother and my eldestsister are coming, and Avis's father and mother, and Winnie's aunt, andever so many relations of other girls. They're to stay at the Queen'sHotel, and they'll have quite a jolly time, I expect. They're allowed toinvite us to afternoon tea there the day before, if they like, so Ishall get Mother to ask you with me, if none of your own people will beover."

  "I'm afraid my father and mother will be too busy to come," said Patty,"but I believe Muriel expects Uncle Sidney and Aunt Lucy."

  "Then they are sure to ask you, so I shan't have a chance after all.What a pity! I wanted you to meet Mother and Adeline. Never mind! Itdoesn't matter, because---- But that's a secret."

  "What's a secret?" enquired Patty.

  "I shan't tell. Yes, I think I must. I really can't keep it bottled upany longer. I wrote home to ask Mother if she would invite you to comeand stay with us during the holidays."

  "Perhaps she won't want me."

  "I'm sure she will. She hasn't had time to answer my letter yet, but Iknow she'll say 'Yes' at once, especially when she's seen you. Would youcome, dear?"

  "I'd love to," said Patty, "if they say 'Yes' at home too."

  "Oh, I hope they will! We'd have the most glorious time together. You'venever been in Devonshire, and our house is close to the sea. We batheevery day in summer, and swim out to a little rocky island sometimes.Then we go for picnics on the moors, and have gipsy teas in the woods.It's such fun to light a fire, and boil the kettle ourselves. And wehave two little rough ponies; one belongs to the boys, but I couldborrow a side-saddle for it from the Rectory, and then we could both gofor a ride together."

  "Oh, it would be delightful!" said Patty, her eyes shining at theprospect. "But I don't think you ought to have told me yet, when Ihaven't really been invited."

  "It doesn't matter, because I'm sure you will be. I've told Mother somuch about you. Oh, I wish the term would end quickly, and the holidayswould begin!"

  The prize-giving was held in the gymnasium, which was the only room atThe Priory capable of accommodating all the classes and the variousfriends invited to attend. The walls were hung with flags, and beautifulvases of flowers were placed on the window sills to give an air offestivity to the scene. Patty felt there was something very inspiritingin the fact that she was a member of such a large com
munity. She wasonly one amongst many, it is true, but units make numbers, and, as MissLincoln often reminded the girls, each had her own place to fill, andmust try to do her best for the sake of the whole school.

  "I'm afraid I shan't win any credit for the Upper Fourth," thoughtPatty. "I haven't a chance of a single prize, I know. Winnie's sure toget the first English, and Enid the second, and either Beatrice orMaggie will take the French, and perhaps the mathematics too. My exam.papers weren't very good; I'm sure I shall be quite halfway down theclass. Well, never mind! As long as I haven't failed in anything, Idon't much care. Father and Mother will be satisfied, because they'llknow I've done as well as I could."

  Although she did not expect to receive a prize, Patty nevertheless tookher seat in the gymnasium on the important afternoon in question with asgreat interest as any other girl in the class. The platform wasdecorated with palms and large ferns in pots; there was a table in themiddle of it, upon which were laid a number of books; and there werechairs for Miss Lincoln, Sir John and Lady Carston, and a few others ofthe more distinguished visitors. The proceedings, which were to consistof both concert and prize-giving combined, opened with a short speechfrom Miss Lincoln, welcoming the guests, and explaining briefly theprincipal aims which she strove to carry out in her plan of education atThe Priory. A part-song followed from eight of the best girls in thesinging class, among whom was Avis, who had a remarkably sweet voice,and whose high notes were as clear as a bell. Phyllis Chambers andMarjory Gregson acted a dialogue in German, some of the most advancedFrench scholars gave a scene from _Les Femmes Savantes_, and Enidrecited the famous soliloquy from _Hamlet_, which was much applauded.With one or two more songs and piano pieces, and a solo on the violinfrom a girl in the lowest class, the programme for the concert wascompleted; and Sir John Carston then rose to address the school. He wasan amusing speaker, and made all smile by assuring them he felt morenervous at facing an audience of so many young ladies than he would havebeen in Parliament, or at a meeting of his constituents; and that hehoped none of them were criticising his words from a literarystandpoint, and comparing them with the passages from Moliere andShakespeare which had just been so admirably rendered.

  "Everybody will tell you," he proceeded, "that your schooldays are thebest time of your life. When I was a boy, I always thought that thebest part of my schooldays was the breaking-up day! I don't know whetherthe teachers will agree with me, but I expect you girls will, andperhaps even Miss Lincoln may be secretly looking forward to to-morrow,though she won't reveal her feelings! I'm afraid from this you'll guessthat I must have been a dunce at school myself. I frankly confess Inever gained a prize in my life, but for that reason I shall appreciateall the more my privilege of distributing these beautiful books; and youwill feel you have my true sympathy when I wish you a happy holiday anda long one."

  Everyone laughed as Sir John sat down; the girls hoped he would havesaid a little more, but the time was limited, and Miss Lincoln waswaiting to read out the examination lists. The awards in the UpperFourth fell very much as Patty had expected: Winnie was first and Enidsecond in English, Beatrice Wynne was easily top in French, but, toeveryone's surprise, Ella Johnson was head in mathematics. When all theprizes had been given, and the fortunate owners had returned to theirplaces, Lady Carston stood up, and announced that she should like to saya few words.

  "By Miss Lincoln's permission," she began, "I am going to offer an extraprize; the conditions for gaining it are to be quite different fromthose for which you have already competed. I wish to present it towhichever girl shall be judged by her companions to have been the mostkind, the most thoughtful and generous, and to have passed the mostunselfish life amongst you during the whole of the school year. Thevoting is to be by ballot. Each of you will be given a small piece ofpaper, on which I shall ask you to write the name of the one whom youconsider the fittest to receive my prize. Do not add your own signature,and please do not tell anyone afterwards for whom you decided; let it bea point of honour with you to keep that matter a secret. The papers mustbe folded, and will then be collected by some of your teachers, who havekindly promised to count the votes. Let me mention again: I do not askyou to choose your favourite friend, or the most popular girl in yourclass, but the one who, you really think, has made the greatest efforttowards living at the highest possible level, and whose conduct you canmost honestly admire as the truest and best."

  There was a rustle of astonishment among the girls at the conclusion ofLady Carston's speech. No such prize had been offered before at ThePriory, and the novelty of the idea rather appealed to them. Half-sheetsof notepaper were handed round by Miss Hall and Miss Rowe, and MissLincoln announced that five minutes would be allowed for consideration,at the end of which time the votes must be recorded. As each girl satwith her pencil in her hand, the thoughts of all turned to Patty.Everybody remembered some helpful little act which she had done, somekind thing which she had said, or an occasion when she had given up herown way to please someone else. It was not only in the Upper Fourth thatshe was appreciated, but among those who had met her at games, duringwalks, or in recreation, where, without any conscious effort on herpart, her influence had had its effect on the girls, who somehow feltthe better for having known her. As Enid said afterwards in strictestconfidence to Avis:

  "Patty isn't the least scrap of a prig. She never preaches or findsfault with one, and she's just as jolly as ever she can be; and yet shealways makes one feel ashamed if one isn't doing what's absolutelystraight. I've never seen her play a nasty, mean trick, nor heard hersay anything horrid or unkind since she came; and if Lady Carston wantedto find out the nicest girl in the school, she couldn't fix on anybodybetter than Patty."

  By the end of the five minutes all the papers were folded and passedback to Miss Rowe, who retired with Miss Hall to count them, while thesinging class filled in the time with another part-song. There was muchexcitement when the two teachers returned, and handed the result to MissLincoln and to Lady Carston. The latter rose at once.

  "I am glad to be able to tell you," she announced, "that the decisionhas been almost unanimous. With the exception of only three votes, everygirl has recorded the same name. To Patty Hirst, therefore, I award thisprize, feeling sure that I do so at the wish of the whole school. Comehere, my dear," she continued, as the surprised and blushing Patty wasled to the platform by Miss Rowe. "You must accept this copy of Ruskin's_Sesame and Lilies_; it is a book that I think you will like some day,when you are older, even if you cannot quite understand it now. Thosewho go through life with a pleasant smile and a kind word make manyfriends, and are always welcome visitors. Sympathy and helpfulness maybe very everyday virtues, but they are worth cultivating just as much asFrench and mathematics, and I am sure all your companions will join withme in saying, 'Well done!'"

  As Patty walked back to her seat, Lady Carston's words were answered bya perfect storm of clapping from the girls, who were delighted to havean opportunity of showing their approval; and I think no prize couldhave been offered which would have given more general satisfaction. Asfor Patty, she could still hardly realize why she had been singled outfor so much notice. It was pleasant to hear her friends'congratulations, but what she valued most of all was the squeeze of thehand which Muriel gave her, with the whispered words: "I'm so glad,Patty; I can't tell you how glad!" To fulfil her promise to Uncle Sidneyhad been the aim of her strivings, but to have won her cousin'saffection as well was more than she had ever dared to hope for.

  "You needn't look so bashful!" said Enid. "You're our pattern girl atThe Priory, and I don't mind telling you so. There's not the slightestfear of spoiling you, and making you vain, so it won't do you any harmfor once to hear our true opinion of you."

  "Oh, don't! Please don't!" cried Patty. "The prize shouldn't have beengiven to me. You ought each to have had one as well, you ought indeed!It's quite ridiculous to make such an absurd fuss over me, and I can'timagine why you should."

  But I think most of my readers will agre
e that Patty deserved it.

  _Printed by Blackie & Son, Limited, Glasgow, Scotland._

  * * * * *

  By ANGELA BRAZIL

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