The Fairy School of Castle Frank, Page 6

  CHAPTER VI.

  THE MODEST MEDALLIST.

  In the previous chapter we turned aside and went a long way back--backnearly as far as the formation of the class--to explain how SilverRibbon had come to be the most successful pupil, at least so far as towin the preliminary silver medal. We come forward now to where we leftoff, at the reference to two or three days' rest from study. That restpassed away very quickly. Then came the final tug-of-war, the day ofspecial examination which was to reveal who was really the best scholar.

  All the pupils were in the garden on a Friday morning at 9 o'clockprompt. Their black fur was beautiful and glossy--nicely washed andbrushed for the occasion--and their silken ribbons were neatly tied andclean. Silver Ribbon looked exceedingly well, and her silver medal wasburnished till it shone like a little moon. When all the pupils hadgathered together they gave her a ringing cheer. Black Ribbon lookedclean and tidy, but he seemed as if he had been studying rather thanresting, for his lovely dark eyes were somewhat weary.

  Silver Ribbon took up her place against the apple-tree as usual, butjudge of her surprise and alarm when, by Hug-grippy's advice, thepupils were separated from each other a considerable distance, andseated on chairs brought out for the occasion. Having a sprightlydisposition, however, she shook off her fears, and, trusting to chanceand to what little she had learned, she prepared for the contest.

  Robin was a reasonable schoolmaster, and did not give questions thathad not been already gone over, or that could not be understood. Wheneach pupil had finished a question, the teacher went over quietly,examined the slate, and whispered the result.

  Silver Ribbon succeeded with the first question, and she was happy;with the second also, and her spirits rose high. She was, she thought,going to be chief prize-winner and the head of her class after all.But her hopes were soon crushed. She was wrong in the 3rd question andthe 4th, still she held on bravely. She was wrong in the 5th, 6th and7th, and her spirits fell. She looked wistfully towards the bestpupils' slates, but even her sharp eyes could not discern the figures.When she found herself incorrect in questions 8, 9 and 10, she feltsick at heart, and when she tackled the remaining questions her heartpalpitated painfully, the perspiration came down in beads from herlittle forehead, and her hands felt clammy and cold. She was wrong tothe very last, and she fell into complete despair.

  When the results were announced to all the class, everyone wassurprised to hear that Black Ribbon was first and that Silver Ribbonwas last. Black Ribbon was cheered three times over, and wasastonished to find himself famous, while poor Silver Ribbon was dazed,and her little head dropped upon her medal and breast. As her chintouched the medal, she was reminded of its presence, a shining mockeryseen by all, and she hated it from the bottom of her heart.

  Robin drew up the white toy-horse and presented it to Black Ribbon, andthe class cheered again and again. He then presented the other giftsto the pupils in the order of merit till he came to poor Silver Ribbon.He was so sorry when placing his hand gently underneath her little chinand raising her head he saw that her eyes were dull, wet and very sad.He knew at last that she had been a copyist and a deceiver, but he gaveher no rebuke while removing the medal from her breast. He felt keenlythat she was suffering punishment enough from disappointment, shame andhumiliation. Not knowing how she had been tempted to cheat him, heplaced by her side the only remaining gift, which was a pretty littletoy snake. All eyes were upon her, saying nothing, yet pitying anddespising her. She looked sideways at the toy a moment andshuddered--shuddered at what would have delighted any of theothers--and being unable to bear the shame any longer she leaped fromher chair and ran away.

  "Didn't I tell you that you had a cheat in the class?" said Chattiesorrowfully.

  "She has cheated herself more than anyone else," answered Robinregretfully.

  "One can't live long on empty nuts," said Hug-grippy gloomily.

  Robin now commended the class for their diligence and progress, andamidst great cheering announced a long vacation. He then tied thesilver medal with golden silk on the neck of Black Ribbon, who tried torepress a happy smile, while all the others cheered wildly. Taking thelittle victor up in his arms, he caressed him and said--

  "My clever pet, my mother has asked me to say that hard work andhonesty have their true and lasting reward. Your name henceforth isGolden Ribbon."

  The signal was given to Chattie, and she dismissed the class with anexultant Indian whoop that even startled big Bruin and made him laugh.

  Said he, "I thought for a moment that my enemies had suddenly come uponme."

  Three of the best pupils--Red, White and Blue, referred to,before--then ran forward and seizing Golden Ribbon, lifted him upon theback of his white toy horse. Getting confused, the little black ridersat upon the horse's neck and held it by the ears. Robin went in frontand pulled, while all the pupils marched behind in pairs, singingmerrily as they tripped along. Bruin brought up the rear with all thepresents on his big, broad back. Golden Ribbon was drawn to the castleand duly presented to Robin's mother, who praised and kissed him, whileshe presented him with a gilt-edged picture book full of wonderfulstories.

  When Golden Ribbon was drawn home to his own door they all parted fromhim with much hand-shaking but with silence, because his mother wassick. Entering the door and going over to her bedside he said--

  "Mother, dear, I am first, and here is a great, beautiful picture book,and there is a big, toy horse at the door."

  "My darling boy," said his mamma, raising her head and opening her eyeswide when she saw the medal and golden band around his neck, "I canscarcely believe it, but you deserve it, for you have been a hard,honest worker, as well as most loving and attentive to me," and shekissed him tenderly. Then laying her head upon the pillow she weptwith joy.

  That night Silver Ribbon sobbed herself to sleep upon her mamma's neck.Her mother did not punish her, for she knew that she had pain enough.She tried indeed to comfort her by saying that every one would forgiveher if she would begin and do better for the future, for she was verygrieved for her deceitful little child.