"Haven't got the nerve, eh?"
"Just as you say, Benny. After noting the terrible effect of Brown's nerve I feel a little shy about cultivating any myself."
"Gee whiz! This is the only time I ever saw a lot of fellows who were elected by almost unanimous consent, and then fired out the same way," mused Benny. "There's Brown getting up to speak. Wouldn't I laugh if that soap box broke and upset him. Rah, rah, rah for Somers! Hooray for the Ramblers. Take 'Crackers' down before he starts! Don't wonder he has a buttermilk voice—he's sour!"
Dan Brown looked leisurely around and began his speech.
"Hooray for Captain Bunderley, hooray!" called out Benny, his shrill tones soaring high above all other sounds.
Not many of the boys could hear the words of the coach. It needed a far stronger voice than his to overmatch the incessant din, which sometimes rose into a loud, swelling chorus from every quarter of the campus. But that made little difference. A large piece of cardboard, hung by several cords from the tree, gave all the desired information.
The proposition to be voted for was: Which team should represent the school in the inter-scholastic series; all those favoring the regulars to state whether the club should remain as it was or be reorganized.
Owen Lawrence, who followed Dan Brown, and whose vocal organs were far more powerful, promptly demanded to know if any of the Ramblers were present.
"We gave them a chance to speak on the last occasion, and do so now!" he cried, looking over the heads of the crowd.
The momentary silence which ensued was broken by the voice of Benny Wilkins.