My composition was not a masterpiece; it was merely good for a girl of fifteen.

But I had written that I still loved the little cousin, and I made a thousand strangers feel it.

And before the applause there was a moment of stillness in the great hall.
After the singing and reading by the class, there were the customary addresses by distinguished guests.

We girls were reminded that we were going to be women, and happiness was promised to those of us who would aim to be noble women.

A great many trite and obvious things, a great deal of the rhetoric appropriate to the occasion, compliments, applause, general satisfaction; so went the programme.