“It is moved and carried,” he announced shortly, “that the assistant manager explain more fully.”
Phin, who during the proceedings had kept his place at the front of the stage and awaited calmly the outcome, bowed.
“The words ‘team expenses’ are used in this particular case,” he explained dryly, “to mean the fall term tuition of one of the members of the team.”
The announcement caused a sudden commotion of audible remarks, whisperings and whistling. Those, and they were greatly in the minority, who knew who the member of the team was craned their heads for a sight of the untroubled countenance of the star half back. Bert’s face looked like a thunder cloud as he scowled alternately at Hansel and Phin. Mr. Ames was studying his hands.
“Mr. Chairman!” It was Spring again. “Mr. Chairman, I’d like to ask whether it was understood that the money collected for the team was to be used to pay the tuition expenses of one of the students.”
This demand was loudly applauded. Field looked toward Phin.
“I believe,” answered the latter, “that there was a tacit understanding to that effect. Of course, it would not do for the school to have it publicly known that we pay a player’s expenses in order to strengthen our team. But we did it last year, and if the collection is sufficiently generous to-night we shall do it again. I may add that unless we do it we shall possibly lose one of our best players.”
Spring again demanded recognition and got it from the bored chairman.
“I want to say,” declared Spring warmly, “that I, for one, knew nothing about it. And I dare say there are a good many others who gave money for the support of the team who are in the same fix.”
“You bet!” “Oh, cut it out!” “Sit down!”