"Speech! speech!" exclaimed half a dozen, vociferously.
Dick looked a little confused, and tried to escape the call. But
the boys were determined to have him up, and he was finally
compelled to rise, looking and feeling rather awkward But his
natural good sense and straightforwardness came to his aid, and
he acquitted himself quite creditably.
This was Dick's speech:
"Boys, I don't know how to make speeches, and I s'pose you know
that as well as I do. I hardly knew who was meant when Richard
Bumstead's name was mentioned, having always been called Dick,
but if it means me, all I can say is, that I am very much obliged
to you for the unexpected honor. One reason why I did not expect
to be elected to any office was because I ain't as good a scholar
as most of you. I am sure there are a great many of you who would
make better officers than I, but I don't think there's any that
will try harder to do well than I shall."
Here Dick sat down, very much astonished to find that he had
actually made a speech.
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