Oxford was the older institution by twelve years, but beyond that had no advantages over Cambridge. Twice a year, in December and June, the rivals met in debate, each society selecting its debaters by a series of trials. These debates, especially the mid-winter one, wrought the school into quite a frenzy of excitement and for weeks ahead the fellows wore knots of dark blue or light blue in their coat lapels, according as they owned allegiance to Oxford or Cambridge. In June a ball followed the joint debate and the rivalry waxed warm once more, each society striving to outdo the other socially. As this event occurred during graduation week sisters and cousins were on hand in numbers and the big assembly hall presented a brilliant sight.
Dan had not the slightest idea which society he wanted to join. He didn’t see that it made a particle of difference, anyway. Oxford boasted of a combination billiard and pool table, but as Dan had never played either that didn’t appeal to him. Cambridge pointed with pride to her preponderance of debating victories, but as debating didn’t attract him that didn’t prove much of an inducement. He sounded Tubby on the subject and Tubby was eloquent but not helpful.
“What’s the good of belonging to either of them?” asked Tubby scornfully. “I am an Oxford fellow, but I’d just as lief not be. They soak you two dollars a year and then make you subscribe in the spring for the dance. You don’t get anything out of it. It’s no fun listening to Joe Chambers and Jimmy Clapp spouting about things they don’t understand. Gee! the first time I went to a debate I fell asleep! I never went again but once.”
“But the rooms are jolly and they have pretty good times, don’t they?”
“I never had any,” answered Tubby, gloomily. “They get up there and play chess or checkers or sit around and chew the rag. What fun is there in that? Over at Broadwood they have regular secret societies, and there’s some sense in those. A fellow can—”
But Dan had fled.
[CHAPTER XVIII]
LORING DECIDES
After practice that afternoon Dan encountered Alfred Loring in the locker room. Loring grabbed him by his bath-robe and fixed him with a stern gaze.