She had faith in herself and the love and approbation of everybody.
When she was seated with her class on the stage in the city hall, where the graduating exercises were held, she saw herself just as she looked, and it was with a satisfaction which had nothing weakly in its vein, and smiled radiantly and innocently at herself as seen in this mirror of love and appreciation of all who knew her.
[Illustration: The valedictory] When the band stopped playing, and Ellen, who as valedictorian came last as the crown and capsheaf of it all, stepped forward from the semicircle of white-clad girls and seriously abashed boys, there was a subdued murmur and then a hush all over the hall.

Andrew and Fanny and the grandmother, seated directly in front of the stage--for they had come early to secure good seats--heard whispers of admiration on every side.

It was admiration with no dissent--such jealous ears as theirs could not be deceived.

Fanny's face was blazing with the sweet shame of pride in her child; Andrew was pale; the grandmother sat as if petrified, with a proud toss of her head.

They looked straight ahead; they dared not encounter each other's eyes, for they were more self-conscious than Ellen.