To his left, back of the rows of citizens, was a spacious temporary platform upon which were seated the scholars who were to take part in the exercises of the evening; rows of small boys, washed and dressed to an intolerable state of discomfort; rows of gawky big boys; snowbanks of girls and young ladies clad in lawn and muslin and conspicuously conscious of their bare arms, their grandmothers' ancient trinkets, their bits of pink and blue ribbon and the flowers in their hair.
Links van den meester, achter de zitplaatsen der burgerij, was een hoog getimmerte gemaakt, waarop de in hun beste pak gekleede knaapjes gezeten waren, die proeven van hunne bedrevenheid zouden afleggen. Achter dezen zaten eenige rijen magere, opgeschoten jongens.