I have not hope of the Avery, said Anne. Everybody says Emily Clay
will win it. And I m not going to march up to that bulletin board and
look at it before everybody. I haven t the moral courage. I m going
straight to the girls dressing room. You must read the announcements
and then come and tell me, Jane. And I implore you in the name of our
old friendship to do it as quickly as possible. If I have failed just
say so, without trying to break it gently; and whatever you do _don t_
sympathize with me. Promise me this, Jane.
Jane promised solemnly; but, as it happened, there was no necessity for
such a promise. When they went up the entrance steps of Queen s they
found the hall full of boys who were carrying Gilbert Blythe around on
their shoulders and yelling at the tops of their voices, Hurrah for
Blythe, Medalist!
For a moment Anne felt one sickening pang of defeat and disappointment.
So she had failed and Gilbert had won! Well, Matthew would be sorry--he
had been so sure she would win.
And then!
Somebody called out:
Three cheers for Miss Shirley, winner of the Avery!
Oh, Anne, gasped Jane, as they fled to the girls dressing room amid
hearty cheers. Oh, Anne I m so proud! Isn t it splendid?
And then the girls were around them and Anne was the center of a
laughing, congratulating group. Her shoulders were thumped and her hands
shaken vigorously. She was pushed and pulled and hugged and among it all
she managed to whisper to Jane:
Oh, won t Matthew and Marilla be pleased! I must write the news home
right away.
Commencement was the next important happening. The exercises were held
in the big assembly hall of the Academy. Addresses were given, essays
read, songs sung, the public award of diplomas, prizes and medals made.
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