There was something like a gleam of hope in the eyes of the youths, but it died away when the president, with a grim smile added:
“I will state, however, that the gentlemen of the faculty regard the financial difficulty as only temporary, and are willing to continue on without pay for a while, so you see there is no excuse for not attending lectures,” and the president’s eyes twinkled. “But that is why,” he continued, “I can not advance any sum for the rebuilding of the collapsed grandstand. I am very sorry, but it will have to stay down for the present.”
“Then we’ll lose on the Canton game,” spoke Sid in a low voice, “lose money, I mean.”
“It’s too bad we can’t have it put up,” came from Phil, as the lads filed from the president’s room, where the conference had taken place. “No use in having a meeting, if we can’t get the money.”
“Yes, there is too!” cried Tom Parsons, suddenly.
“Do you think we fellows can raise enough cash by ourselves?” demanded Kindlings. “I wish we could, but we can’t.”
“We can raise enough for what I am going to suggest,” declared Tom.
“And what’s that?”
“Enough for hammers and saws and nails.”
“And let the grandstand rebuild itself?” asked Phil, incredulously.