Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/261

Rh Yet he was rather rickety and walked slowly, and submitted after a moment to having Harry take his arm and steer him through the crowd. At the foot of the grand stand was the rector, awaiting them. He took Rupert from Harry's charge and led him up the steps. And Harry, returning to where his mother sat with Philip Ward, saw Rupert with his hat off, shaking hands with the President. At that sight a lump of disappointment rose in Harry's throat. Perhaps his mother knew how he felt, for she pressed his hand without looking at him, and he swallowed the lump.

Rupert and the President and the rector's little daughter, who was to hand out the prizes, walked together across the track to the table, on which were the shining mugs and medals. The President walked in the middle, arm in arm with each of the others.

"That's to steady Rupert," Harry murmured to his mother. "Is n't it nice of him?"

The crowd became very still and expectant. Standing by the table, with her hands folded