Then came the new school and no one was prender than Miss Fleet, and no one worked harder to make it the success it has been. Parents sometimes complained because they felt that the School was inadequately staffed and their complaints were not without foundation. But there was the other side sometimes forgotten. The heavy burden of long hours and work that this fact threw upon the staff, and the headmistress in particular, Heavy it was and never fully recognized or rewarded. That is as this world counts rewards. But surely the best reward of all is found in a sense of accomplishment, and if from the shining places, she looks pack—es I am sure she can— it must be with a sense of contentment na satisfaction for work well and truly done.
She never counted popularity, although she enjoyed it in a measure. Indeed she often said to those about her that a good teacher and administrator cannot expect to be popular. She did, however enjoy in a unique degree the respect and affection of her girls, and the loyalty of her staff. A respect and affection that will not fade with the passing years, and that is infinitely richer and more to be desired than popular acclaim.
Two things stood out in her character. Courage, she always possessed it, but never was it more evident than in the gallant way she carried on during the last year of her illness, And a stern sense of duty, I come back to it, was the closing note—for it is the thing which is so admirable in the British character, and she was a true Briton.
Death is not a terrible thing, but rather glorious. We bid her farewell, but we cherish the memory of one who set us all a good and great example, And who richly merits the finest praise anyone can hope to receive. "Well done good and faithful servant—enter into the joy of thy Lord."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.