f the little mason,
Stardi's father, and many others whom I had never seen; and on all sides
a whispering and a hum were audible, that seemed to proceed from the
square outside.

The master entered, and a profound silence ensued. He had the list in
his hand, and began to read at once.

"Abatucci, promoted, sixty seventieths. Archini, promoted, fifty-five
seventieths."--The little mason promoted; Crossi promoted. Then he read
loudly:--

"Ernesto Derossi, promoted, seventy seventieths, and the first prize."

All the parents who were there--and they all knew him--said:--

"Bravo, bravo, Derossi!" And he shook his golden curls, with his easy
and beautiful smile, and looked at his mother, who made him a salute
with her hand.

Garoffi, Garrone, the Calabrian promoted. Then three or four sent back;
and one of them began to cry because his father, who was at the
entrance, made a menacing gesture at him. But the master said to the
father:--

"No, sir, excuse me; it is not always the boy's fault; it is often his
misfortune. And that is the case here." Then he read:--

"Nelli, promoted, sixty-two seventieths." His mother sent him a kiss
from her fan. Stardi, promoted, with sixty-seven seventieths! but, at
hearing this fine fate, he did not even smile, or remove his fists from
his temples. The last was Votini, who had come very finely dressed and
brushed,--promoted. After reading the last name, the master rose and
said:--

"Boys, this is the last time that we shall find ourselves assembled
together in this room. We have been together a year, and now we part
good friends, do we not? I am sorry to part from you, my dear boys." He
interrupted himself, then he resumed: "If I have sometimes failed in
patience, if sometimes, without intending it, I have been unjust, or too
severe, forgive me."

"No, no!" cried the parents and many of the scholars,--"no, master,
never!"

"Forgive me," repeated the master, "and think well of me. Next year you
will not be with me; but I shall see you again, and you will always
abide in my heart. Farewell until we meet again, boys!"

So saying, he stepped forward among us, and we all offered him our
hands, as we stood up on the seats, and grasped him by the arms, and by
the skirts of his coat; many kissed him; fifty voices cried in concert:

"Farewell until we meet again, teacher!--Thanks, teacher!--May your
health be good!--Remember us!"

When I went out, I felt oppressed by the commotion