“No, I don’t think so. It would start a lot of talk and gossip and inquiry, and what would be the use? Why not let the class go ahead and elect whomever they will? If it happens to be you, why, just put the best face you can on it.”
Lester thought for a moment. “You’re probably right. But I hope they won’t elect me; and you can be sure that I’ll not act any more in a way to catch votes. I’m afraid I was doing that before I did this worse thing.” He rose and took David’s hand. “You certainly are a good friend, Dave. And I’ve been a pretty useless one to you.”
“You’ve always been a source of pride to me,” said David. Lester winced. “And you will be again,” David added hastily. “And if the class elects you marshal, I shan’t feel that they’ve made such a fearful mistake. I’ll enjoy the honor for you.”
He unlocked the door, laughing, and gave Lester an affectionate slap on the back as he passed out.
CHAPTER XVII
THE FIRST MARSHAL
From his talk with David, Lester went away chastened yet light of heart—more cheerful, indeed, than he had ever hoped to be again. He had confessed, had been forgiven, and was secure in the knowledge that now the episode was closed and that no one else would ever hear of it. But he had gone through too much in the past few days to forgive himself as readily as David had forgiven him; he was sincere in his determination to court obscurity now rather than prominence and for the rest of his college course to live the unassuming life of the student.
With that resolve in mind he immediately ascended from David’s room to his own, and there he was engaged in study when Richard Bradley entered half an hour later. Richard at once began to talk about the campaign for the marshalship.
“The general opinion now seems to be that you’ve got a sure thing for first place,” he said. “Farrar will get second and Colby third. I’ve heard lots of fellows who don’t know you at all well say they were going to vote for you because they think you ought to have been captain of either the eleven or the nine and that the least the class can do is to make it up to you.”
“It’s good of you to take such an interest, Dick,” said Lester. “But I’ve got over my craving for honors and popularity—at least I think I have. I honestly think that either Farrar or Colby deserves the job more than I do.”