“Thank you,” replied Mr. Haynes. “I only want to say that I appreciate Harven’s words. I feel very proud and, at the same time, rather humble. How well I’ve succeeded this season is for you to judge, but I am conscious of having tried hard, and, while I made mistakes, I have learned by them. To know that I have retained your liking and that you still have faith in me is—well, it makes me feel pretty good. I congratulate you on the choice you have made, for, no matter what he says, I know that Stuart Harven is the man for the job. We’ve had our differences of opinion, he and I, but we’ve got over them. What he says about another year I subscribe to heartily, fellows, and if he has to eat his hat I’ll help him! I’ll be right on hand to do it because the Committee on Athletics very kindly offered me a contract for two years more this afternoon and I signed it!”
Pandemonium reigned supreme then. Billy Littlefield started “For he’s a jolly good fellow” and every one joined. The beauty of that song is that you don’t have to know many words and you can keep on singing it as long as your voice will hold out. In the end, however, it changed to the school song, and while that was still in progress some one started downstairs and the others followed and, still singing, the party made its way out to the sidewalk, where, the news announced, cheers drowned the song.
A few minutes later Stuart found himself walking back to school with Jack’s arm linked in his. Before and behind were others, laughing, singing, sometimes cheering, but at the campus the throng separated into smaller units and ultimately Stuart and Jack found themselves alone in front of Lacey.
“Come on up for a minute,” urged Stuart.
“Pretty late, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but it doesn’t matter to-night. I shan’t get to sleep for hours, and—I want to talk things over.”
So they made their way through the silent corridors to Number 12, to find Neil still up and dressed, an expectant grin on his face. Stuart shied his cap at him. “I’ll bet you had a hand in it,” he charged. “That villainous grin gives you away, old son!”
“Not guilty!” Neil laughed. “I told every one you wouldn’t accept, didn’t I, Jack?”
“You did, Neil, you certainly did,” assented Jack gravely.