At last one of the Brothers went up to poor old Tourier and whispered to him. You should have seen his crestfallen appearance when he found he had been making a laughing stock of himself.
Poor old fellow, all summer the villagers laughed whenever they met him, as his wife said:
"On a bien ri ce jour là, et tout le monde rit-encore!" (People laughed that day, and they laugh yet.)
Brother Director appointed a committee to decide on the merits of the declaimers and to award the prize. When these gentlemen arrived at a decision, Brother awarded the medals.
After a brief address by Monsieur Le Curé, in which he showed that the highest reward of study is not a medal or prize of any kind, but the mental growth and power which comes from it to the student.
"Still," he added, "a prize is not to be despised, because it symbolizes the diligence, obedience and perseverance of the winners. Hence, my boys, I wish you ever to set a higher value on the character which wins, than the prize which is won.
"The committee of examinations have unanimously awarded the silver medal for general excellence in all studies to Louis Tascherau." Here cheers were given for Louis.
"The silver medal for the best composition is awarded to Bolax Allen." Cheers were heartily given for Bolax, and the young ladies in the audience could not say this boy was not able to make a most graceful bow.
"The committee on declamation found it very difficult to decide between the speakers. There was but a shade of difference in favor of Fulton, so he received the medal." George was loudly applauded, for he was a jolly fellow, liked by the whole school, masters and scholars, although inclined to make fun out of time.