The results were in, she said. And he ran and ran and ran and ran, disregarding the shouts of teachers behind him, just running and running and running till he reached the office. It was up on the bulletin board, sandwiched between changes in the lunch menu and posters for bake sales. He stopped for a moment, breathless, eager. Slowly he let himself look at it. The names were up. He scanned through them: Joe Malone. Hendrick Smith. Jerry Pandrip. Jonathan Sinker. Hetty Carbuncle.... so many names. He knew most of them: they had been his companions during the test, each just as dedicated, each twice his worth.
There was no use. He didn't even bother to read to the bottom of list. Someone opened the office door, Ms. Bright. She smiled at him sadly. "Better luck next time, Henry."
His heart sank, and he wanted to sink with it.