hat," laughed Isobel.

"And Class-day and Commencement. And who's going to win the Lincoln
Award?"

CHAPTER XXV

THE LINCOLN AWARD

"Who's going to win the Lincoln Award?"

That question was on every tongue at Highacres. That interest rivaled
even the excitement of Class-day and its honors; of the Senior
reception, Commencement itself. It shadowed the accustomed interval of
alarm that always followed examinations. Everyone knew that the contest
was close; no one could conjecture as to whom the honor would fall, for,
though one student be a wizard in trigonometry, he might have failed
dismally in the simple requirement of setting-up exercises or drinking
milk.

"I've eaten spinach until I feel just like a cow out at pasture,"
declared Pat Everett disgustedly, "and what good has it done! For I was
only _eighty-five_ in English!"

"But think of all the iron in your system," comforted Peggy Lee. "I hope
Jerry wins the prize, but I'm afraid it is going to Ginny Cox. She was
_ninety-nine_ in Cicero. I wish _I_ had her brains----"

"And her luck! Ginny says herself that it is luck--half the time."

"Look how she got out of that scrape last winter----" spoke up another
girl.

The Ravens, who were in the group, suddenly looked at one another.

"It won't be _fair_ if Ginny wins the Award," was the thought they
flashed.

The records for the contest were posted the day before Class-day--the
last day of the examinations. A large group of boys and girls, eagerly
awaiting them, pressed and elbowed about the bulletin board in the
corridor while Barbara Lee nailed them to the wall. Gyp's inquisitive
nose was fairly against the white sheet.

"_Vir-gin-i-a Cox!_" she read shrilly. "Jerauld Travis _only two points
behind_! And Dana King third----"

An uncontrollable lump rose in Jerry's throat. She had hoped--she had
dared think that she was going to win! She was glad of the babble under
which she could cover her moment's confusion; she struggled bravely to
keep the disappointment from her face as she turned with the others to
congratulate Ginny.

The plaudits of the boys and girls were warm and whole-hearted. If any
surprise was felt that it had been Ginny Cox and not Jerry Travis who
had won the Award it was carefully concealed.

"We might have known no one could beat you, Coxie."

"It was that ninety-nine in old Cicero."

"Hurrah for Ginny!"

Dana King trooped up a yell. "Lincoln--Cox! Lincoln--Cox!"