Margaret Walks Across the High School Stage on a Warm June Morning
“He offered a compromise,” I said, handing him the cream-colored card. “A private presentation in his office on the afternoon of the fourteenth. He said it was for our comfort.”
Arthur adjusted his spectacles and read the card, his brow furrowing as his eyes scanned the elegant print. He did not look pleased.
“It is a very neat solution for him,” Arthur said quietly. “It satisfies the letter of the state education code without creating any public record during the commencement exercises.”
Before I could answer, Arthur’s gaze drifted past my shoulder to the wall behind me. A large bronze plaque had been mounted near the entrance to the new wing, its polished surface catching the bright midday light.
“Margaret, look at this,” Arthur said, stepping toward the plaque.
I followed him and read the raised letters. The plaque expressed deep gratitude to the local land development corporation that had funded the entire construction of the new library wing, ensuring the town’s children would have access to modern resources for generations to come.
“That is a very substantial gift,” Arthur said, his voice dropping to a thoughtful hum. “A six-figure donation, at least.”
