Arthur clapped Dan on the shoulder.
“You’ve won!” he whispered gleefully. But Dan shook his head.
“Better wait and see. You can’t be sure yet.”
The room quieted down while Chambers opened the ballots and tabulated the votes. It didn’t take him long, and after he had been over the ballots a second time, he rapped on the desk.
“Here’s the result, fellows. Quiet, please.
Thompson, 26.
Vinton, 15.
Hiltz, 13.
“Thompson and Vinton are elected.”
Pandemonium broke loose for a minute, during which Dan, striving to hide his satisfaction under a quiet smile, was congratulated by friend and foe alike. Only Hiltz kept away and, a moment later, left the room, frowning darkly, perhaps in search of the renegade Conover.
“Glad you won, Vinton,” was the remark of several of Hiltz’s supporters. “I didn’t vote for you, you know, because I’d given my word to Hiltz, but I’m glad you beat.”
Then the room emptied and Dan and Arthur followed the others out through the corridor, where the news had already spread. Dan had to stop many times to be shaken by the hand or pounded on the back, but finally he was free to hurry to the gymnasium and get into his togs for afternoon practice. Arthur went with him.