“Shut up, Wayne,” he pleaded in a whisper.
“To-day,” continued Wayne, “I was told to get behind Sturgis and to hang to him to the end of the race. Well, I didn’t; I thought I knew more than the coaches, and Professor Beck and the captain, and every one. And when St. Eustace put up a game by sending Gould ahead as though he was going to win the race, I just let instructions go and went after him. You all know how nearly Sturgis came to winning——”
“A miss is as good as a mile,” said Connor.
“And if he had won St. Eustace would have got the championship, and it would have been all due to my foolishness. I haven’t felt right about it since you fellows were so kind and cheered me, and—and all; and I’ve wanted to tell you the truth, and I have; and I’m glad you gave me the chance. And I thank you for the nomination, but couldn’t take it even if you still wanted me to.”
Wayne sat down, and three fellows were instantly on their feet. Don recognized Whitehead.
“Look here, fellows,” he said, speaking quickly and vehemently, “I don’t deny that Gordon made a mistake, but I want to tell you that he wasn’t to blame. The trick would have deceived any fellow that wasn’t experienced; if it had been me instead of Gordon, I would have fallen into the trap just as he did, and I’m not sure that I’d been so ready to own up and tell the truth about it, either. Gordon made a mistake, but he ran the finest sort of a race; he’s got lots of pluck and lots of go, and we all like him; and I think he will make a good captain, if Cunningham won’t accept re-election; and I move that we prove to him that we don’t think any less of him for his mistake by asking him to accept the nomination.”
“Good! Seconded!” was heard on all sides, and in a moment the motion had carried unanimously. Wayne was very busy making bread pills, his eyes on the table cloth.
“Silence gives assent,” said Don gayly. “Are there any other nominations?” None spoke. “I move that the nominations be closed,” said Dave. “I second that motion,” said Whitehead. “And I move that the election be—be— Oh, I mean let’s go ahead and elect Gordon,” concluded Whitehead amid a laugh.
“Well, I can’t see the use of balloting,” replied Don, “and as the proceedings have been out of order all evening I guess we might as well continue to have them so. Suppose we take a rising vote?”
“Yes! Rising vote! Go ahead!”