As the headmaster ceased speaking, there was a buzz of whispering while the students awaited the appearance of the entrants.
The work required of the participants was admittedly hard, requiring such close application that members of the athletic teams had never entered, being unable to carry both the study and the field practice.
Accordingly, it was with a gasp of dismay that the boys and girls beheld Fred rise from his seat and advance to the platform.
"If you please, sir, I wish to enroll for the Scholarship," he said, in a clear voice.
Restraining his surprise, for as teacher of the sciences, he knew that Fred was none too good at them, Mr. Vining wrote down the boy's name.
The realization that Fred's action meant his desertion of the Second's team, of which he, as left half-back, was one of the main supports, filled the scholars with consternation. The Landon Second had been weakened by the withdrawing from school of several of its strongest players, and, in consequence, the students at Baxter had hoped their team might this year obtain the victory, which had gone to their rivals four times in succession. But, if Fred did not play, their hope would be vain.
So absorbed were they, therefore, in consideration of this calamity they did not notice that no one else had enrolled for the scholarship, until Mr. Vining asked:
"Does no other student in the Second Form intend to enter? The provisions of the gift declare there must be at least three contestants, or there shall be no award, the sum reverting to the endowment fund."
This fact thus recalled to them, interest once more centered in the scholarship.
As no one responded to the headmaster's call, a smile spread over Bart's face, which quickly disappeared, however, when Taffy got up.