erribly
plain and awkward girl. She had not eaten anything since the middle of
the week, and was weak and nervous with fright. She sprang out of her
seat, white as a dead person, and rushed up the aisle. As she stepped
upon the platform she struck her toe and nearly fell. The rest laughed,
some hysterically, the most of them in thoughtless derision. The blood
rushed into her face and when she turned, she seemed to be masked in
scarlet. She began, stammeringly, her fingers playing nervously with
the seams of her dress.

"Beside his block the sculptor--

"Beside his block--

"Beside, the sculptor stood beside"--

She could not think of another word, not one, and she fell into a
horrible silence, wringing her hands piteously. It was impossible for
her to go on, and impossible for her to leave the floor till the word
of release came.

"That will do," said the principal in calm unconcern, and she rushed
from the room, and the next name was called. At length Nettie Russell
faced the audience, a saucy smile on her lips, and a defiant tilt to
her nose. She spoke a verse of "Twinkle, twinkle, little star," to the
vast delight of the preps, who had dared her to do it. The principal
scowled darkly, and put a very emphatic black mark opposite her name.

As name after name was called, Bradley's chill deepened, and the cold
sweat broke out upon his body. There was a terrible weakness and nausea
at his stomach, and he drew long, shivering inspirations like a man
facing an icy river, into which he must plunge. His hands shook till he
was forced to grasp the desk to hide his tremor.

He was saved from utter flight by Radbourn, who came before him.
Whatever nervousness the big senior had ever felt, he was well over
now, for he walked calmly up the aisle, and took his place with easy
dignity. He scorned to address the Romans, or the men of England. He
was always contemporaneous. He usually gave orations on political
topics, or astounded his teachers by giving a revolutionary opinion of
some classic. No matter what subject he dealt with, he interested and
held his audience. His earnest face and deep-set eyes had something
compelling in them, and his dignity and self-possession in themselves
fascinated the poor fellows, who sat there in deathly sickness, shaking
with terror.

Bradley felt again the fascination of an orator, and again his heart
glowed with a secret feeling that he, too, could be an orator like
that. He felt strong