‘That,’ replied Reggie with an airy wave of the hand, ‘we can settle later. Each member shall contribute say five or eight pounds a term, which will be handed to the Treasurer and kept by him—’
‘If Squiff is made Treasurer the money will certainly be kept by him,’ interjected the Pilot.
After I had picked up the china ornament and the table-leg which were broken in the subsequent scuffle, Reggie continued, ‘The money will be kept by the Treasurer, who will not be a paid official, and used in time of stress by the members. For instance, supposing a summons has to be paid, or a railway-fare to town is required, the member needing the money will go to the Treasurer, and after pledging his word that the circumstances are urgent shall withdraw just as much as is needed and no more. There will also be special rules about repayment.’
‘They will be needed,’ I remarked; ‘and we must also have “urgent circumstances” clearly defined, as I foresee trouble on that score.’
‘Well,’ said Squiff, ‘if every one is agreed, that some such Society is needed, let us draw up the rules at once. If an undertaking like this is left under discussion after the first week of term the subscriptions will have to be lowered to five shillings, and that won’t be much use.’
‘Rule 1,’ said Reggie, tapping the table with a paper-knife, ‘That this Society be known as the “Cecil College Mutual Help Society.”’
Rule 2, ‘That the terminal subscription be five pounds with no entrance-fee, but that the membership be strictly limited.’
‘I think—’ began the Pilot.
‘Wait a moment till I have read out what I’ve written down and then we can discuss it,’ said Reggie.