To repeat: centuries of tyranny and oppression have rendered the Armenians timorous and distrustful to an extreme degree; in Europe, this lack of courage has often given them a reputation for cowardice which they do not really deserve. The boys suspected nothing; they had been working hard for their final examinations at the close of the college year. Our friends had all done very well; Ghevont stood second among the Juniors, Garabed was at the head of his class, Dikran second, Archag third, Nejib fourth and Aram fifth. Soghomon was lowest, with five marks which had been given him as a favor. On Commencement Day, Professor Piralian preached the baccalaureate sermon, and Mrs. Mills presented the diplomas and the prizes. Then the president went into the pulpit to make a farewell address to the students, and to wish them a pleasant vacation. "I hope," said he in closing, "that you will return in the autumn with fresh vigor, and ready to take up your work with renewed energy and purpose. The members of the faculty regret the necessity of informing Ghevont, Bedros, Avedis, Hamparzoum (Ascension), Panos and Jakoub, all of the Junior class, and Levon of the Sophomore class, that the college cannot receive them next year." And that was all! President Mills came down from the pulpit in the midst of a deathlike silence, the precursor of a tempest. As soon as the professors had withdrawn, an indescribable uproar arose; the Juniors gesticulating and shouting that if their classmates were to be sent away so unjustly, they would all leave too; the other fédai giving the signal for revolt by climbing on the benches and waving their handkerchiefs for flags. That afternoon, Ghevont, Bedros and Avedis went to the president to ask for an explanation. Dr. Mills received them with a pleasant smile. Yes, he said, he had always been quite satisfied with their diligence, and counted them among his best students. But he could not keep them; he had good reasons for this, which he should not tell them. "But Dr. Mills," said Ghevont, "do you not know that no other college will receive us? We shall be accused of misconduct, and this stigma of bad character will follow us all through our student life." "If that is all," replied the president, "I will give each of you a certificate of good character." He sat down at his desk, and quickly wrote a few lines; then he gave to each boy an excellent testimonial. The boys were so astonished that they did not know what to say. Dr. Mills had to help them out with a gentle push, after shaking hands once more. CHAPTER XIII THE HOLIDAYS