There was a shuffling of feet, and here and there throughout the meeting fellows arose, some hesitatingly, some briskly, and stood to be counted. On a bench near the front Hansel and Phin were the only ones who remained seated, while beside them Bert, Harry, Royle and other members of the first and second teams were on their feet. Cameron, at the end of the next bench, kept his place, viewing the proceedings with a perplexed frown. After all, he was a modest chap, and all this fuss and turmoil seemed to him very silly. If they didn’t want him, why not say so? Bert, glancing over the hall, looked at first bewildered, then angry. Mr. Ames turned questioningly to Mr. Foote.
“Seventeen,” said the latter wearily.
“And thirty-five here,” said Mr. Ames. “In all fifty-two. Be seated, please. Now those opposed will kindly stand up.”
It was unnecessary to count them, but the count was made, nevertheless.
“A total of seventy-eight,” announced Mr. Ames. “There appears to be no doubt as to the sense of the meeting.” He turned to Dr. Lambert. “Did you wish to say anything more?”
The principal shook his head.
“May I speak, sir?” It was Cameron.
“I believe there’s no objection,” responded Mr. Ames.
Billy moved out into the aisle and faced the meeting, rather red of face and somewhat embarrassed of manner, but doggedly.
“I just want to say,” he began in a low voice that grew louder as he gained confidence, “I just want to say to you fellows that it’s all right as far as I’m concerned. I want to do what’s right. If you think I oughtn’t to play, why, that’s enough for me. I want to be fair and square all around. You fellows have paid sixty dollars of my tuition for me, and I’m much obliged to you. But I’d like to have you know that I mean to pay it back to you just as soon as I can, because you expected me to play in the Fairview game, and I’m not going to do it. I don’t want to take money and not deliver the goods.