. The world cannot be all of the higher ideal element. They
cannot all be Seniors."

She paused to touch the colors of the Middler class--green and white.

"These are the symbols of the late lamented Middler class. How
appropriate! The white represents the conditions of the examination sheets
they habitually handed in--not a line, not a letter. Blank, quite blank.
It is the opinion of the faculty that this also represented the condition
of their brains. I do not fully agree with this. I believe that at rare
intervals, and when under the influence of proper environment, for
example, the presence of some Senior, the minds of the Middlers did
receive some impression;--slight, we acknowledge. Yet we hold an
impression, a faint suggestion of an idea, was there.

"The second color! Green! How beautiful, how appropriate. It represents
our lamented Middlers as they stood before the world. They were so
verdant!

"As to the age of the departed class, both much and little might be said.
The records show that as a class they existed just ten short months; to
the faculty and Seniors it seems like ten long years.

"During their sojourn, the hospital of Exeter has been filled
with--teachers suffering from nervous prostration. Dr. Morgan's ebony
locks have turned silver. During the holidays Miss Wilhelm, who tried to
teach them classics, in a fit of desperation sought refuge in matrimony.
We might speak more fully of the effects of their being among us were it
not that we believe in interring the evil they have done with their
bones.

"With this short eulogy, I close. Miss Stoner, a Senior, who has suffered
much because of the shortcomings of the Middlers, will sing a solo
appropriate to the occasion, the others joining in the chorus."

Landis advanced. Azzie struck up an accompaniment, while the whole class
of Seniors came out strong on the refrain.

"They were so young, this Middler class of ours.
They brought to mind the newly-opened flowers.
They to the grasses closely were related.
They were so green, so unsophisticated.

(Refrain)

Softly speak, and lowly bow your head,
We are alone. The Middler class is dead.

"We did our best. No duty left undone
Weighs on our hearts at the setting of the sun.
What though their choice was weeds instead of flowers
Censure not us. The fault was ne