But of them all there is no one of them quite equal to Grace.

She is the ideal type of all that a High School girl should be, and when I say that I have paid her the highest compliment in my power." The slight difficulty that had arisen between Grace and the principal during Grace's junior year had long since been adjusted by Eleanor, who had gone to Miss Thompson with a frank confession of her transgressions during her junior year.

Miss Thompson had freely forgiven her and had fully appreciated the sense of honor that had prompted the deed.
As the class was large, fifteen girls from the entire number had been chosen to deliver essays and addresses.

Among these were Anne, Eleanor, Grace, Miriam and Nora.
"I'm just as well satisfied that I was not chosen," Jessica whispered to Eva Allen, as Grace stepped forward to deliver the salutatory address.
"It's easy to see who is first in the hearts of Oakdale," returned Eva.
"Grace won't be able to begin this evening if they don't stop it." The moment that Grace had risen to deliver her address the commotion began, and it was not until Miss Thompson rose and smilingly held up her hand for silence that the noisy reception accorded Grace died away.
Anne, as valedictorian, was only a trifle less warmly received, and her eyes grew misty as she remembered how she had come to Oakdale poor and unknown, and entirely without friends, until Grace had so nobly championed her cause.
The bestowal of the freshman prize followed the graduates' addresses.
Then came the announcement of the winners of the scholarships.

There were two of these and every one of Anne's friends listened anxiously for her name.