pon her, saying nothing, yet pitying and
despising her. She looked sideways at the toy a moment and
shuddered--shuddered at what would have delighted any of the
others--and being unable to bear the shame any longer she leaped from
her chair and ran away.

"Didn't I tell you that you had a cheat in the class?" said Chattie
sorrowfully.

"She has cheated herself more than anyone else," answered Robin
regretfully.

"One can't live long on empty nuts," said Hug-grippy gloomily.

Robin now commended the class for their diligence and progress, and
amidst great cheering announced a long vacation. He then tied the
silver medal with golden silk on the neck of Black Ribbon, who tried to
repress a happy smile, while all the others cheered wildly. Taking the
little victor up in his arms, he caressed him and said--

"My clever pet, my mother has asked me to say that hard work and
honesty have their true and lasting reward. Your name henceforth is
Golden Ribbon."

The signal was given to Chattie, and she dismissed the class with an
exultant Indian whoop that even startled big Bruin and made him laugh.

Said he, "I thought for a moment that my enemies had suddenly come upon
me."

Three of the best pupils--Red, White and Blue, referred to,
before--then ran forward and seizing Golden Ribbon, lifted him upon the
back of his white toy horse. Getting confused, the little black rider
sat upon the horse's neck and held it by the ears. Robin went in front
and pulled, while all the pupils marched behind in pairs, singing
merrily as they tripped along. Bruin brought up the rear with all the
presents on his big, broad back. Golden Ribbon was drawn to the castle
and duly presented to Robin's mother, who praised and kissed him, while
she presented him with a gilt-edged picture book full of wonderful
stories.

When Golden Ribbon was drawn home to his own door they all parted from
him with much hand-shaking but with silence, because his mother was
sick. Entering the door and going over to her bedside he said--

"Mother, dear, I am first, and here is a great, beautiful picture book,
and there is a big, toy horse at the door."

"My darling boy," said his mamma, raising her head and opening her eyes
wide when she saw the medal and golden band around his neck, "I can
scarcely believe it, but you deserve it, for you have been a hard,
honest worker, as well as most loving and attentive to me," and she
kissed him tenderly. Then lay