The Friendly Five: A Story

“—AND TURNING SUDDENLY, THEY BEHELD, WITH A POOR LITTLE COTTON HANDKERCHIEF PRESSED TO HER EYES, THE FORLORN FIGURE WHICH HAD JUST BEEN SO APTLY DESCRIBED.”
THE FRIENDLY FIVE A STORY
BY MARY C. HUNGERFORD
ILLUSTRATED
NEW YORK: EATON & MAINS CINCINNATI: CURTS & JENNINGS
Copyright, 1891, by HUNT & EATON, New York.
DEDICATION.
AS AN EVIDENCE OF MY WARM REGARD FOR HER, I Dedicate THIS LITTLE STORY OF SCHOOL LIFE TO MY YOUNG FRIEND, MISS SALLY T. CLARK, OF NEW HAVEN.
THE FRIENDLY FIVE.
There were neither examinations nor graduation exercises at the Coventry Institute. The only ceremony peculiar to the last day of school, except the farewells, was a little sermon from Mrs. Abbott, the principal, preceded by reading the average of reports for the year.
The day had come. All the smaller recitation-rooms were empty and the girls were gathered into the large school-room occupying their own seats, but each whispering softly to her neighbor, for rules were not strictly enforced on either the opening or closing days of school.
Upon the platform at one end of the room stood a green-covered library-desk with the large arm-chair by it which was always reserved for Mrs. Abbott. As they waited a servant came in and removed the chair, bringing into view a small old-fashioned hair-cloth sofa large enough to hold two persons comfortably.