CHAPTER XXII
The Lecture Hall is Dedicated
Ever since the laying of the foundation stone in January the new LectureHall had been in process of construction. Owing to the war, and thescarcity of labour, it made slow progress. Sometimes the building wenton with a spurt, and sometimes for weeks nothing at all was done. Thoseoptimists who had prophesied that it would be in readiness after theEaster holidays found themselves much mistaken. After innumerable delaysand disappointments, however, the place was finished by the end of thesummer term, and Miss Thompson decided to combine its opening with theannual prize-giving.
The double function marked a great occasion in the annals of the school.The increased accommodation would allow a large gathering, and manyinvitations were sent forth. It was even whispered that the chair was tobe taken by the local Member of Parliament.
"Silverside's coming on no end!" said Consie Arkwright. "We never usedto have such grandees down. Miss Thompson used to be content with someordinary clergyman or elderly professor, to give the prizes, and nowshe won't look at anybody below a bishop, or a mayor, or an M.P."
"She loves these functions!" chuckled Joyce. "She's perfectly happy whenshe has on her best dress and her company smile, and is showing off theschool to an admiring crowd of visitors. I won't say that I don't ratherenjoy it myself. It makes one feel in the world somehow. It's jolly niceto think that Silverside is of so much importance in the town."
"Bet we'll make a good show-up on Dedication Day!" commented Laura, whohad drifted into the conversation. "Hopscotch was saying something aboutthe whole school in white dresses and our badges. By the by, MissThompson's got a little surprise for us. She's been having somebeautiful ribbon, in the school colours, specially woven for Silverside.She showed it to Adah and me this morning in the study, and I can tellyou it's topping! We're each to have a piece of it for our hair, andwear it on the great day, so that we all look alike. She's having newhat bands woven, too, for next term. I think they'll be rather smart."
"I begin to wish I wasn't leaving," said Isobel almost mournfully."Really, Silverside has been much jollier lately than it used to be. Itwould have been ripping fun to stop another year and work up the hockey,as we've done the cricket and tennis."
"There'll be something to read out in the Games Report this time!"purred Joyce.
"It'll be precious!" agreed Consie.
The Principal was naturally anxious that her pupils should makea good display on so important an occasion. She arranged a verycarefully-thought-out programme of the ceremony. There were to bespeeches by local magnates, the School Report must be read, the halldedicated, and the prizes distributed. She decided that her pupils oughtto sing one or two suitable songs, and she came in to the singing classone morning to discuss the matter with Miss Webster, and hear the girlsrun through a few glees. She found it difficult to make a choice.
"They're nice in their way, but not altogether what is needed. I shouldhave liked something really appropriate to a Dedication. In fact, I'mafraid I want what I am not at all likely to get--a special songcomposed for Silverside."
"Could we adapt anything?" suggested Miss Webster, rapidly turning overa pile of music, while the class, deeply interested, sat listening tothe discussion.
"Not much use without new words. Pity we have no poet in the school! Ifthere had been time, I'd have written to a music publisher and asked ifit would be possible to have a song composed for us. It's too late now.I wish I'd thought of it sooner!"
"Oh, Miss Thompson," said Avelyn, suddenly springing to her feet andblushing hotly at her own temerity, "I know a lady who writes songs!She's very much interested in Silverside--I've told her so much aboutit. I really believe if I asked her she'd make up just what you want.She's quite clever enough to do it."
Miss Thompson's convex glasses were focused on Avelyn in a stare ofastonished gratification. She literally jumped at the idea.
"If you think your friend would really be so kind," she assented, "weshould be most grateful to her. Where does she live? At Lyngates? Thenwrite to her this afternoon, and see if you can persuade her to takepity on us. I suppose she would know the sort of thing we want?"
"I'll explain exactly," promised Avelyn, sitting down, conscious that inthe eyes of the class she had covered herself with glory. She wasexcused "English language" that afternoon for the purpose of writing herletter to Miss Carrington, and sat with her blotter--an object of muchenvy--while the remainder of the form wrestled with Anglo-Saxonderivations.
"I don't think my Lavender Lady will fail me!" she murmured as shestamped her envelope. "I believe it's just the sort of thing she'll likedoing."
Avelyn's trust in her friend was amply justified. She received by returnof post a card bearing the words: "Highly honoured. Will do my best."
"I knew she would--the dear, clever darling!" rejoiced Avelyn, wavingher post card in triumph as she ran down to the study to communicate thegood news to Miss Thompson.
On Friday evening, when Avelyn called at the bungalow, the Lavender Ladyhad a neat music manuscript ready for her.
"I hope it will do," she said. "It's as far as possible what you askedme for. I've tried to express a spirit of school patriotism and union inthe words, which seems to be the principal thing to aim at just now, andI've arranged the music for three voices. You'll have to make copies ofit at school."
"Miss Peters will do that with the duplicator," beamed Avelyn. "I dothink you're just the most absolutely lovely and clever and deliciousperson that I've ever met, or ever shall meet, in all this wide world!How do you manage to think of things? I couldn't compose a song to savemy life!"
"Why, I really don't know! The ideas just float into my head somehow,"laughed the Lavender Lady. "As a matter of fact, this tune came to me inbed, at about half-past two in the morning, and I was obliged to get upand go downstairs to the piano to try it over and jot it down on paperbefore I forgot it. I knew that if I went to sleep again it would escapeme. There's nothing so elusive as music. Yes, I'll try it over for youif you like. It'll sound much better, though, in three parts. I hopeyour first sopranos can reach A sharp? If not, I must set it in a lowerkey, but I like it best in this."
"They've got to get A sharp if they crack their voices!" decided Avelynfirmly.
The dedication and prize giving were to be held on the last afternoon ofthe term, and guests were invited for 2.30 prompt. The girls,resplendent in white dresses and the new hair ribbons, made a braveshow, and all were sitting discreetly in their places when thedistinguished visitors were ushered on to the platform.
During the last six months a better tone and discipline had pervaded theschool, and there had been no repetition of the disorderly scene thathad preceded the laying of the foundation stone. Every pupil ofSilverside now prided herself upon her manners. It had become a matterof _noblesse oblige_.
Mr. Robson, the Member of Parliament for Harlingden, was a short, stoutman, with a bald head and a big moustache, and some gift of oratory. Hefulfilled with dignity his duties as chairman, and made a capitalspeech, bringing in his views about education, and wishing Silversideevery success. A hundred and ten youthful pairs of hands clappedobediently, though some of the most junior heads had not altogethergrasped the drift of the remarks.
It was now the turn of the School Report. Miss Thompson, typed papers inhand, was standing up and clearing her throat preparatory to reading italoud.
Avelyn, in the fifth row from the front, turned her head and took acomprehensive glance round the room. It was certainly a hall to be proudof, looking both stately and festive with its decorations of flowers andflags and its large palms upon the platform. She was glad that theLavender Lady should see it. Miss Carrington had come to the gatheringwith Mrs. Watson and Daphne; Captain Harper and Captain and Mrs.Reynolds were sitting next to them. They caught Avelyn's eye, and smiledas she looked across, then concentrated their attention on the platform,where Miss Thompson was beginning to read the report.
The Principal
first of all described the general work of the school,what successes had been gained in public examinations, and what recordeach Form could show. The average of marks was high, and both mistressesand pupils might be congratulated on their efforts during the year.After commenting on the improvement which had also been made in music,part singing, drawing, and painting, Miss Thompson passed to the subjectof games.
"I am very glad to say," so ran the report, "that on its athletic aswell as its intellectual side the school is now holding its own. Duringthe winter season little was done in that respect, but with the spring agreat games revival took place, and the 'Loyal School League' wasinstituted, the object of which was to win honours for Silverside. Iheartily congratulate the League both on the spirit of union and schoolpatriotism which it has fostered and on the successes which it has won.The cricket throughout has been most spirited, and great thanks are dueto Miss Leslie and Miss Kennedy for their admirable help in coaching.Out of six matches the school scored four victories, a very creditablerecord for a first season. In tennis also we are beginning to take ourplace. The improvement of the general play is most marked, and we hopeto have established a new standard of energy and efficiency. Ourchampions were successful in defeating Pendlebury Ladies' College andWestfield High School; a match was also played with the Clifford Girls'Grammar School, which resulted in a draw. As we consider games to be anextremely important item in our curriculum, we hope that this term'sstrenuous effort has established a precedent in this respect, and thatthe League will go on to greater triumphs in the future."
After the report came the distribution of prizes and Form trophies. VAwon a beautiful picture for a wild-flower competition; IVB gained thecup for general improvement; and the Sixth the shield for knowledge ofcontemporary events; while among individual successes Adah Gartley,Annie Broadside, Maggie Stuart, Laura Talbot, and Irma Ridley werecalled up to receive rewards of books.
"I am asked to announce," said the chairman, "that Miss Thompson and themistresses have presented a new gift to the school. This beautifulsilver cup is to be awarded annually to the girl who is considered tohave performed the greatest service for Silverside during the year. Thefirst to win it is Avelyn Watson, to whose enterprise and energy ininitiating the 'Loyal School League' much of the present success ingames may fairly be credited. I congratulate you," beaming at Avelyn ashe handed her the trophy, "that yours is the first name to be engravedupon the cup."
Avelyn walked back to her place almost overwhelmed by the unexpectedhonour. It was a complete surprise, for the mistresses had kept theirsecret well, and had allowed no word of it to leak out beforehand. Thestorm of clapping from the girls showed that the trophy, and the choiceof its winner, were equally appreciated. There could be no mistake aboutthe genuine cordiality of the applause.
"May I say, in conclusion," finished Mr. Robson, "that the part songwhich will now be rendered by the singing class has been composedspecially for this occasion by a well-known musician, and thathenceforward it will take its place as what we might call the nationalanthem of Silverside, to be sung at all school functions."
Miss Webster struck a chord on the piano, and the singing class rose.The sunlight flooding through the window shone on their white dressesand the colours that tied their hair. There were a few bars of prelude,then, to a swinging, rousing, and most original tune, they sang:
"Girls of Silverside! Hear us as we sing: With the praises of our school Let the rafters ring. Loyal hearts and true Bring we here to-day, Chanting as our battle-cry, 'Silverside for aye!' So join your hands and join your hearts, And form a circle wide, Let Silverside be all your pride, Girls of Silverside!
"Girls of Silverside! True you are and leal, Each must strive her noble best For the common weal. Banish thoughts of self, Make your interests wide, Be the glory that you gain All for Silverside. So join your hands and join your hearts, And form a circle wide, Let Silverside be all your pride, Girls of Silverside!
"Girls of Silverside! For the good and right, Here and in the wider world Let us all unite. To your strenuous care Our honour we confide, Let your lives be such as bring Praise to Silverside. So join your hands and join your hearts, And form a circle wide, Let Silverside be all your pride, Girls of Silverside!"
When the function was over, and mistresses, visitors, and girls streamedout of the new Lecture Hall, Avelyn's steps gravitated at once towardsher Lavender Lady.
"Your song was beautiful," she whispered. "Everybody says it's the besttune they've heard for ages--it haunts us, we can't get it out of ourheads for a minute! Miss Webster says she could play it in her sleep. Itwas just what we wanted--something specially for Silverside!"
"I'm glad it went off all right. Let me look at your cup. You luckygirl! Just to think that 'Avelyn Watson' is the very first name to beengraved upon it! Where are you going to keep such a treasure?"
"I shall take it home for the holidays, and then have it in our formroom next term. If you don't mind, I'd like it to spend a week at thebungalow. I feel it was you who really won it, not I. The League wasyour idea entirely. Even if I'd thought of it I should never have hadthe courage to propose it, if it hadn't been for you. You inspired itall! May the cup stand on your mantelpiece for a whole week?"
"Only on one condition--that you come and stay with me to take care ofit!"
"Oh! may I? I'd love to stay with you and have you all to myself."Avelyn's eyes were shining.
"Hallo, old sport!" said Laura, coming rollicking up with Irma, Janet,Mona, and a few other congenial spirits. "Congratulations! We didn'tknow Miss Thompson had this cup up her sleeve, did we? Jolly decent ofher and the mistresses, I must say! We ought to subscribe and buy abracket to put it on. Won't it look fine when it's up, rather! Some ofthe old girls are here to-day, and Miss Thompson's been telling themabout the League. They think it's topping!"
"And they say our hair ribbons are just too jinky for anything," addedJanet.
"Glad to hear they like them," said Avelyn, twisting round her plaitand readjusting the broad bow of pink, blue, and navy. "Yes, on thewhole, I really think it's rather priceless to have our hair tied withthe school colours."
"It stands for so much," put in the Lavender Lady gently.
"Right you are! We're all hall-marked safe and sound now for a unitedSilverside," agreed Laura. "Next term our school will just forge aheadand break the record."
Printed and Bound in Great Britain_By Blackie & Son, Limited, Glasgow_
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Transcriber's Note:
Hyphenation has been retained as it appears in the original publication. Punctuation has been made consistent.
Page 41 and an upper story containing _changed to_ and an upper storey containing
Page 157 I wonder we've not see you _changed to_ I wonder we've not seen you
Page 171 All four girls were busy packing _changed to_ All five girls were busy packing
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