“The trustees, teachers and pupils of Highburg Academy beg Miss Jessie Hapley to accept of this trifle, as a slight token of their appreciation of her many virtues, and of her faithful labors as a student and assistant teacher in the institution. ‘Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.’”
“The box contains a porte-monnaie,” continued Marcus, “which, from the weight, I should judge contained something more substantial than promises to pay. Here, Jessie, step this way.”
On hearing her name read, in the note of presentation, Jessie suddenly darted towards the entry, but was arrested by several of her school-mates, who led her back, covered with blushes, to Marcus. She whispered a few words to the latter, who immediately arose, and said to the company:
“Miss Hapley requests me to say that she is too much overcome by this unexpected token of your kindness, to make a suitable acknowledgment in person; but she desires me to express to the company her grateful thanks for the gift and the compliment bestowed upon her.”
As soon as Marcus had finished, there was a general clapping of hands, after which Mr. Upton started the Grade of Honor song, and the whole assembly joined, singing:
“Who are these, with honors decked?
The faithful, good and true;
They are spirits choice, select,
A brave but noble few.
Scorn they whatsoe’er is base,