Ward felt the blood surge up in his face and as Berry patted him upon the shoulder, and Pond’s glance betrayed his feeling, Ward felt that never before had he been so happy.
"The second prize," resumed the chairman as the audience at last became quiet, "has been a little more difficult to award. The nearly equal excellence of two of the speakers has led us at last to divide the prize. The second prize is therefore awarded to Lucius Berry and Frederick Pond."
Again the applause broke forth, genuine and long continued, and was redoubled when the three boys advanced to receive their prizes.
Ward glanced down at his father and mother and as he plainly saw them stealthily wiping their eyes, he felt a suspicious moisture creeping into his own. How different it all was from the close of the preceding year! It had been a long, hard struggle, but he had been well repaid in the happiness which had come to his parents, and in which he fully shared.
He was only partially aware of what followed. He knew that the audience had been dismissed and that many of the boys crowded about him with their words of congratulation and praise. He heard Mr. Crane’s quiet words of praise too, and the warm grasp of the hand which was the sole expression of his father at the time was inexpressibly dear to him. His heart seemed to be overflowing and the long-continued effort of the year had brought him its reward; far more than the prize he had received was the satisfaction of having faced his difficulties and conquered in the struggle.
At last all the audience was gone, and Jack and Ward started slowly up the street together.
"It’s been a great night," said Jack: "and, Ward, you have done nobly. Everybody is proud of you. But do you know, I’m not thinking of the prize you took."
"What are you thinking of?" said Ward quietly. His own mind had not been dwelling upon the prize either.
"I was thinking of the way in which you have faced the school, the work, and yourself, this year. I think I know something of what it has cost you. It’s been a big price, but it was worth it."
Ward made no reply, although his heart responded warmly to his friend’s words. He thought he too knew what he had lost and what he had gained; but he could not speak of either.