rought out for the occasion. Having a sprightly
disposition, however, she shook off her fears, and, trusting to chance
and to what little she had learned, she prepared for the contest.

Robin was a reasonable schoolmaster, and did not give questions that
had not been already gone over, or that could not be understood. When
each pupil had finished a question, the teacher went over quietly,
examined the slate, and whispered the result.

Silver Ribbon succeeded with the first question, and she was happy;
with the second also, and her spirits rose high. She was, she thought,
going to be chief prize-winner and the head of her class after all.
But her hopes were soon crushed. She was wrong in the 3rd question and
the 4th, still she held on bravely. She was wrong in the 5th, 6th and
7th, and her spirits fell. She looked wistfully towards the best
pupils' slates, but even her sharp eyes could not discern the figures.
When she found herself incorrect in questions 8, 9 and 10, she felt
sick at heart, and when she tackled the remaining questions her heart
palpitated painfully, the perspiration came down in beads from her
little forehead, and her hands felt clammy and cold. She was wrong to
the very last, and she fell into complete despair.

When the results were announced to all the class, everyone was
surprised to hear that Black Ribbon was first and that Silver Ribbon
was last. Black Ribbon was cheered three times over, and was
astonished to find himself famous, while poor Silver Ribbon was dazed,
and her little head dropped upon her medal and breast. As her chin
touched the medal, she was reminded of its presence, a shining mockery
seen by all, and she hated it from the bottom of her heart.

Robin drew up the white toy-horse and presented it to Black Ribbon, and
the class cheered again and again. He then presented the other gifts
to the pupils in the order of merit till he came to poor Silver Ribbon.
He was so sorry when placing his hand gently underneath her little chin
and raising her head he saw that her eyes were dull, wet and very sad.
He knew at last that she had been a copyist and a deceiver, but he gave
her no rebuke while removing the medal from her breast. He felt keenly
that she was suffering punishment enough from disappointment, shame and
humiliation. Not knowing how she had been tempted to cheat him, he
placed by her side the only remaining gift, which was a pretty little
toy snake. All eyes were u