Eight weeks had not yet passed since the term commenced, and yet
this was the last day but one. To-morrow would be examination day.
To this Mr. Burbank made reference in a few remarks which he made
at the commencement of the exercises.
He was rather a tall, spare man, and had a habit of brushing his
hair upward, thus making the most of a moderate forehead. Probably
he thought it made him look more intellectual.
"Boys and girls," he said, "to-morrow is our examination day. I've
tried to bring you along as far as possible toward the temple of
learning, but some of you have held back, and have not done as well
as I should like--John Plympton, if you don't stop whispering I'll
keep you after school--I want you all to remember that knowledge
is better than land or gold. What would you think of a man who was
worth a great fortune, and couldn't spell his name?--Mary Jones,
can't you sit still till I get through?--It will be well for you
to improve your opportunities while you are young, for by and by
you will grow up, and have families to support, and will have no
chance to learn--Jane Quimby, I wish you would stop giggling, I see
nothing to laugh at--There are some of you who have studied well
this term, and done the best you could. At the beginning of the
term I determined to give a book to the most deserving scholar at
the end of the term. I have picked out the boy, who, in my opinion,
deserves it--Ephraim Higgins, you needn't move round in your seat.
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