The boys obeyed, trembling. Aram and Archag exchanged significant glances behind the president’s back; they were congratulating themselves on their foresight in taking the books to Monsieur Bernier at once, for if they had waited till morning, it would have been all over with them.
Needless to say, the search proved fruitless. Dr. Mills made a thorough investigation in all the dormitories, but the only contraband article he could find was a pot of jam which Soghomon was keeping concealed under a pile of socks. He then went back to his house. The evening before, Soghomon had brought him the “Droshak” which had been found on the campus, and he suspected Ghevont of being the guilty person.
A few days later, he called a meeting of the faculty to obtain a vote on the question of the expulsion of Ghevont and several other members of the Junior class. Professor Pagratian opposed the measure, but in vain; in the inmost recesses of their hearts the other masters revolted against the idea of sending away intelligent and studious boys whose only fault had been a loyal love of their country and a little imprudence, quite excusable at their age; but they dared not say so.
To repeat: centuries of tyranny and oppression have rendered the Armenians timorous and distrustful to an extreme degree; in Europe, this lack of courage has often given them a reputation for cowardice which they do not really deserve.
The boys suspected nothing; they had been working hard for their final examinations at the close of the college year. Our friends had all done very well; Ghevont stood second among the Juniors, Garabed was at the head of his class, Dikran second, Archag third, Nejib fourth and Aram fifth. Soghomon was lowest, with five marks which had been given him as a favor.
On Commencement Day, Professor Piralian preached the baccalaureate sermon, and Mrs. Mills presented the diplomas and the prizes. Then the president went into the pulpit to make a farewell address to the students, and to wish them a pleasant vacation.
“I hope,” said he in closing, “that you will return in the autumn with fresh vigor, and ready to take up your work with renewed energy and purpose. The members of the faculty regret the necessity of informing Ghevont, Bedros, Avedis, Hamparzoum (Ascension), Panos and Jakoub, all of the Junior class, and Levon of the Sophomore class, that the college cannot receive them next year.”
And that was all!
President Mills came down from the pulpit in the midst of a deathlike silence, the precursor of a tempest. As soon as the professors had withdrawn, an indescribable uproar arose; the Juniors gesticulating and shouting that if their classmates were to be sent away so unjustly, they would all leave too; the other fédaī giving the signal for revolt by climbing on the benches and waving their handkerchiefs for flags.
That afternoon, Ghevont, Bedros and Avedis went to the president to ask for an explanation. Dr. Mills received them with a pleasant smile. Yes, he said, he had always been quite satisfied with their diligence, and counted them among his best students. But he could not keep them; he had good reasons for this, which he should not tell them.