The boys were obliged to listen to a long speech of thanks from Mr.
Van der Donk, at the end of which they were presented with an
engrossed set of resolutions drawn up by the donor, which he had had
copied that very morning, the language being as full of flourishes
as the penmanship.

"Some one must respond to the speech, and thank the gentleman for
his very complimentary gift," suggested the doctor, and with almost
one accord the Hilltop boys selected Jack Sheldon as their spokesman.

In a well chosen speech of five minutes, expressing more in that
time than the descendant of an old family had expressed in his hour,
Jack thanked him on behalf of the boys, stopping when he had
finished and not repeating himself, as too many impromptu speakers do.

Then Mr. Van der Donk replied, and said all that he had said before,
prating on till the boys began to yawn and to shift their feet from
one side to the other, for they had been standing all this time, and
were very tired.

When the gentleman had gone, the boys were dismissed, and some of
them went to their tents, others going out on the river.

"Old Van is a tiresome old bore, Jack," said Percival when the two
boys were out on the river, gliding along side by side. "I would
not like to have to listen to him all day as his family must."

Jack smiled, but did not express any opinion regarding the gentleman
in question, making it a rule never to give an adverse opinion of
any one if he could not praise.