No action, no tricks of oratory--plain, strong, and straight, like his play.
"Gentlemen of the School-house! I am very proud of the way in which you have received my name, and I wish I could say all I should like in return.

But I know I shan't.

However, I'll do the best I can to say what seems to me ought to be said by a fellow who's just going to leave, and who has spent a good slice of his life here.

Eight years it is, and eight such years as I can never hope to have again.

So now I hope you'll all listen to me" (loud cheers of "That we will"), "for I'm going to talk seriously.