Much of the rhetoric, many of the fine sentiments did not penetrate to the thoughts of us for whom they were intended, because we were in such a flutter about our ruffles and ribbons, and could hardly refrain from openly prinking.

But we applauded very heartily every speaker and every would-be speaker, understanding that by a consensus of opinion on the platform we were very fine young ladies, and much was to be expected of us.
One of the last speakers was introduced as a member of the School Board.

He began like all the rest of them, but he ended differently.
Abandoning generalities, he went on to tell the story of a particular schoolgirl, a pupil in a Boston school, whose phenomenal career might serve as an illustration of what the American system of free education and the European immigrant could make of each other.

He had not got very far when I realized, to my great surprise and no small delight, that he was telling my story.

I saw my friends on the platform beaming behind the speaker, and I heard my name whispered in the audience.