"I am asked to announce," said the chairman, "that Miss Thompson and the mistresses have presented a new gift to the school. This beautiful silver cup is to be awarded annually to the girl who is considered to have performed the greatest service for Silverside during the year. The first to win it is Avelyn Watson, to whose enterprise and energy in initiating the 'Loyal School League' much of the present success in games may fairly be credited. I congratulate you," beaming at Avelyn as he handed her the trophy, "that yours is the first name to be engraved upon the cup."
Avelyn walked back to her place almost overwhelmed by the unexpected honour. It was a complete surprise, for the mistresses had kept their secret well, and had allowed no word of it to leak out beforehand. The storm of clapping from the girls showed that the trophy, and the choice of its winner, were equally appreciated. There could be no mistake about the genuine cordiality of the applause.
"May I say, in conclusion," finished Mr. Robson, "that the part song which will now be rendered by the singing class has been composed specially for this occasion by a well-known musician, and that henceforward it will take its place as what we might call the national anthem of Silverside, to be sung at all school functions."
Miss Webster struck a chord on the piano, and the singing class rose. The sunlight flooding through the window shone on their white dresses and the colours that tied their hair. There were a few bars of prelude, then, to a swinging, rousing, and most original tune, they sang:
"Girls of Silverside!
Hear us as we sing:
With the praises of our school
Let the rafters ring.
Loyal hearts and true
Bring we here to-day,
Chanting as our battle-cry,
'Silverside for aye!'
So join your hands and join your hearts,
And form a circle wide,
Let Silverside be all your pride,
Girls of Silverside!
"Girls of Silverside!
True you are and leal,
Each must strive her noble best
For the common weal.
Banish thoughts of self,
Make your interests wide,
Be the glory that you gain
All for Silverside.
So join your hands and join your hearts,
And form a circle wide,
Let Silverside be all your pride,
Girls of Silverside!
"Girls of Silverside!
For the good and right,
Here and in the wider world
Let us all unite.
To your strenuous care
Our honour we confide,
Let your lives be such as bring
Praise to Silverside.
So join your hands and join your hearts,
And form a circle wide,
Let Silverside be all your pride,
Girls of Silverside!"
When the function was over, and mistresses, visitors, and girls streamed out of the new Lecture Hall, Avelyn's steps gravitated at once towards her Lavender Lady.
"Your song was beautiful," she whispered. "Everybody says it's the best tune they've heard for ages—it haunts us, we can't get it out of our heads for a minute! Miss Webster says she could play it in her sleep. It was just what we wanted—something specially for Silverside!"
"I'm glad it went off all right. Let me look at your cup. You lucky girl! Just to think that 'Avelyn Watson' is the very first name to be engraved upon it! Where are you going to keep such a treasure?"