"I’m speaking of this matter of permitting football and athletics and such frivolous things to interfere with the regular course of studies and drill at this academy—that’s what I’m speaking of. And it is high time somebody spoke up. The tendency of our day to permit such things at schools and colleges is deplorable—deplorable, sir. I mean it!"
Professor Gooch shook his cane at his companion, as if threatening him. When Professor Gunn started to speak, he went on:
"Wait sir—wait! Hear me! I say it’s deplorable. Do young men go to school and to college to be trained to break one another’s bones in a murderous game called football? Is that why parents send their sons to school? Is that what fathers desire their sons should be taught? You know it is not; you cannot say it is. In former times such games were not given prominence here. True, they were played some, but those who took part in them were not encouraged and shown special favors by the faculty and officers of this school. Such is not the case now. Baseball, football, and kindred dangerous sports and games are encouraged here. You know it is true, Professor Gunn. You will not say it isn’t true!"
"Still," said the head professor calmly, "I am at a loss to understand why you are making all this fuss."
"Fuss!" gasped Professor Gooch, throwing up both hands and waving his cane dangerously near the other’s head. "Fuss, sir! Is that what you call it? Well, it’s high time to make a fuss! It’s time to see if something cannot be done to check this tendency to go football crazy. I mean to see if something cannot be done. There is altogether too much of this business at Fardale. Next I shall hear that inducements have been offered students to come here because they can play baseball or football unusually well. That is what we’re coming to, sir."
"Do you think so?" said Professor Gunn, still with perfect calmness.
"Hey?" exclaimed Professor Gooch. "I know it! I see it approaching! Now, what do you think of that? What do you think of this craziness for athletics? Answer me, sir!"
"Excuse me," said the head professor, "if I sit down. Of course, you may stand if you prefer. You ask me what I think of athletics. I will answer you briefly. I think that athletics as practised in our schools and colleges is doing a great work for the young men of our country."
"Hey?" again squawked Professor Gooch. "Great work! What kind of work, may I ask?"
"Making stronger, healthier, manlier men, and truly that is a good work."