Proctor Zane stated the case to the president, and then Kindlings made his appeal.
“We want to arrange for the rebuilding of the stand at once,” he said, “as we expect a big crowd at the Canton game, and we need all the seats we can get.”
“Yes,” remarked Dr. Churchill, musingly. “I presume the athletic committee has the funds available to pay for the work.”
“No, we haven’t, Dr. Churchill,” answered Holly Cross, who acted as treasurer, “but we thought the amount could be advanced from the college treasury, and we could pay it back, as we did once or twice before. We’ll need quite a large sum, I’m afraid, for the stand is one of the big ones, and is flat on the ground.”
“Yes,” again mused the president. “Well, young gentlemen, I would be very glad indeed to advance the money from our treasury, but, I regret to say, that it is impossible.”
“Impossible!” repeated Holly.
“Yes, for the reason that there is no money in the treasury.”
“No money!” The students looked at each other aghast.
“No,” went on Dr. Churchill. “This legal complication regarding the missing quit-claim deed, and the lawsuit that has been started against the college, has made it necessary to spend considerable cash in the way of preliminary fees and court expenses. This has left the college without a running balance. In fact, Randall is poorer to-day than ever before. I might add that even money to pay the salaries of the faculty is lacking, and——”