“Mr. Chairman!” called a voice from the body of the hall.
“Mr. Spring!” answered the chairman.
“I just want to say that it seems to me that the fellows who give the money have a right to hear how it has been spent. I don’t think it’s a question of doubting anyone’s trustworthiness; the report ought to be made public as a—a matter of principle.”
This statement elicited quite a little applause.
“Do you still object, Mr. Middleton?” asked Field.
“No,” answered Bert, making the best of it; “if anyone wants to hear the stuff, why, let them, by all means.”
When the laughter had subsided, Phin went calmly on.
“I am about through, anyhow,” he said. “The remaining sum of sixty dollars was spent for ‘team expenses.’” There was an audible sigh of relief from Bert, and even Mr. Ames looked more cheerful. Hansel, who for the last few moments had been aware of something in Phin’s manner and expression that was unusual, looked up in time to catch a quick, meaning glance from the speaker. For an instant he was puzzled; Phin expected something of him, but what? Then suddenly it came to him in a flash that the battle had begun, that Phin had thrown down the gauntlet, and he was on his feet, claiming recognition. He got it, and——
“I should like to ask what is meant by ‘team expenses,’” he said. “All expenses are team expenses, are they not?”
“Shut up, you fool!” hissed Bert.