“Of, of course,” said the other, with a laugh, “no one ever expects him.”
“Why not?” said Fisher minor to himself. “Why shouldn’t Rollitt come and vote?”
He quite shuddered at the audacity of the idea; and yet, when he looked up to the front and saw his brother standing there, worried and uneasy, and realised that in a few minutes he was to stand his ordeal, the younger brother’s courage rose within him, and he edged towards the door.
In due time Yorke arose. This time, amid the vociferous cheers of his own side, a few of the Moderns ventured to mingle howls. They soon discovered their mistake, for not even their own side was with them as a body. They were hooted down with execrations, and the result of this interposition was that the captain was cheered for twice the usual time.
“You fellows,” said he, as soon as there was silence, “you probably understand from the notice why this meeting is called. The last election was very close, and I am sorry to say there was not fair play. I am still more sorry to say the offenders were juniors in Wakefield’s,” (terrific yells and hoots from the Moderns), “who ought to have known better, and who I hope are thoroughly ashamed of themselves,” (terrific cheers, during which, D’Arcy, Wally, and Ashby, who had been standing on a form, modestly took seats and exchanged defiant signals with the youth of the Modern side through the chinks of the crowd). “They have had the licking they deserve,” (“Not half of it!” and laughter), “as Dangle here, who was present at the time, will testify.” (Dangle scowled at this reference—What right had the captain to score off him?). “Of course under the circumstances it was necessary to have a new election. Fisher here,” (tremendous cheers, amidst which the culprits, considering that the storm had blown over, remounted their perches) “would scorn to be treasurer of the clubs, and everybody would scorn him too, if there was any suspicion of foul play about his election. He has resigned, like an honest man; and our business is now to elect a treasurer.” (Cheers and “Vote for Fisher major” from Wally.)
Dalton rose and proposed his friend Fisher major, which Ranger briefly seconded.
Dangle thereupon proposed Brinkman. He was sorry the School was being put to the trouble of this new election. They hadn’t wanted it on their side; and his friend had been very reluctant to stand. But of course, as the election was to take place, he hoped Brinkman would win by a majority which would show the School what Fellsgarth thought about the foul play which had been tried on at the last election.
Clapperton seconded the nomination, and assured his friends that, now the offence had been acknowledged and atoned for by the castigation of the offenders, they would try to forget it and feel to the other side as if it had not occurred.
Clapperton, of course, was cheered by his side; and yet his chief admirers did not feel as proud of him as they would have liked. His tone was patronising, and Fellsgarth could not stand being patronised, even by its captain.
Just as the meeting was settling down for the important business of the vote, a sensational incident took place.