"I think," remarked Anaise Latour, "Young Allen, one of the American boys, is very graceful, and he has such a pleasant expression of face."
"Oh, he's too fat to be graceful," retorted Julie Bernier.
A general titter followed this remark. Before the girls were ready to renew their criticisms, the call bell rang. Brother Director announced that the exercises would open with an address by Monsieur Le Curé.
After the address came the spirited hymn, "Nous Sommes Les Soldats de la Foi" (We are the Soldiers of the Faith), played by the College band, and sung by all the boys.
Next on the program came the declamations by the juniors, of course, most of the pieces were given in French, as few among the audience understood English.
George Fulton came first, with a comic Piece, taking off "Stump Speaking." This elicited much applause, because of the excellent mimicry of the speaker.
Bolax Allen gave Joaquin Miller's "Columbus." As he imitated the Admiral's "Sail on! Sail on! Sail on and on!" he thrilled the audience with the power of his voice. One could almost fancy they saw Columbus as he paced his deck on the eventful night before he sighted land.
Mr. H. Bernier and Mr. L. Harrison entered into a comic debate as to the superior merits of their respective nations. Bernier for the French, Harrison for the English. The young gentlemen seemed so in earnest, got into a dispute and spoke in such angry tones, that every one expected to see them resort to fisticuffs. At a point when they appeared to be in a rage against each other, old Farmer Tourier happened to come into the hall, and being struck with what he thought the disgraceful conduct of the boys, jumped on the stage to separate them.
"Have you no respect for Monsieur Le Curé and the Brothers?" he demanded in a loud voice.
Monsieur Le Curé and the other gentlemen on the platform were so convulsed with laughter, it was some minutes before any one interfered. The audience fairly shouted and clapped, it was a regular pandemonium.