Early on Monday morning the word went round that there would be a college meeting in the North College Hall, and it was whispered that Van Loan’s case would be taken up and disposed of. The feeling against him on account of his heartless exposure of Lee had become intensified with Charley’s critical illness; and now that the strain of suspense was somewhat relieved, it sought to find vent.
The meeting was large beyond precedent. Davis, the honor man of the Senior class, was made chairman; and White, a Freshman, arose and offered the following resolutions:
“Whereas: Benjamin E. Van Loan, a member of the Freshman class, was, on the afternoon of the seventeenth day of the present month, guilty of an offense unbecoming a student of Concord College, unmanly and inhuman in the extreme, and
“Whereas: For his said offense and certain abusive language connected therewith Sophomore Alfred B. Parmenter promptly knocked him down, therefore be it
“Resolved: That the hearty thanks of the students at Concord College are due to the said Parmenter for his just and timely blow, and be it further
“Resolved: That while the students do not desire to usurp the powers of the faculty, they wish to express it as their undivided opinion that the interests of all persons will be better served if the said Benjamin E. Van Loan shall sever his connection with Concord College at the end of the present college year.”
The resolutions were carried with a rush. Not a dissenting voice was heard. A committee of three was appointed to present them to Van Loan.
When, an hour later, this committee went to Van Loan’s room, he was not there. The room was in disorder, as if he had made ready for a hasty flight. The committee on presentation of resolutions has never yet been able to report its duty fulfilled, for the reason that Van Loan has never since been seen at Concord College.
During the day it was said that, with the greatest care and the most complete rest and quiet, Charley might recover. Thereupon Charley’s classmates formed themselves into squads, and took turns in patrolling the grounds about the Lee house.
They allowed no one to walk on the stone pavements in that vicinity. They kept away all noise and intrusion. They themselves went about their duties on tiptoe and spoke in whispers. Nothing was left undone by any one on the hill to help forward the chances of Charley’s recovery. The Seniors gave up their class ball on his account, and the Juniors their “cremation.”