“Of course not,” echoed Mr. Wendell thoughtfully.
“Then again,” continued Ray, “think of the way in which this condition about baseball was presented to us. The length of our penalty was made to hang upon our decision as to playing baseball, which had no more to do with the question than sailing on the lake or some other amusement. I think I understand Dr. Drayton partially. He is a man who, when he wants a thing, goes the straightest way to get it, regardless of all considerations. He wanted to know who some of the other fellows were, so without thinking twice he simply asks me to tell on them. He felt that we were giving too much time to baseball, and he doesn’t seem to sympathize with our games much anyhow, so he drags in this condition, and hopes to force us into giving up baseball. It was not fair. He might just as well have said that the faculty would make our suspension only two weeks, provided we would promise to eat only two meals a day and devote the time we would gain thereby to our studies. We are as anxious to stand well in our classes as he is to have us do so, and if I felt that baseball would really interfere, I would give it up. But I don’t, and as I had your permission to play baseball, I would not accept Dr. Drayton’s conditions.”
Mr. Wendell paused a moment before answering.
“Like father, like son,” he said at length. “You have said in substance almost exactly what I told Dr. Drayton myself, except, of course, I spoke to him in the respectful manner becoming his office. I told him that I had no objections to your playing ball, and that I saw no reason why it should affect the terms of your suspension. I won’t go all over the ground again. Suffice it to say that we had a very plain and, on the whole, agreeable interview. You see, there wasn’t very much to be said, for I knew the faculty had decided to let you back, and I was inclined to let well enough alone. I am precisely of your opinion concerning Dr. Drayton. He does mean well, and is particularly anxious that his students shall succeed; but, as you say, he is lacking in tact somewhat. He gave me a clear understanding of his side of the matter, however, and I think it is just as well for you to know it.
“He told me he was deeply interested in seeing you both do well in your studies, that he recognized the damage that a five weeks’ suspension would do you, and was most willing to decrease the time. He said, however, that he felt that it was only just, when the faculty showed its interest in your success by remitting a large part of this penalty, that you should show your appreciation of this by making some concession on your part. The concession he asked was that you should give up baseball, which he believed was doing your studies almost as much harm as the suspension. I removed this impression from his mind, or at least, finished doing so, for Professor Fuller had already done most of it, and Dr. Drayton is quite ready to take you back, and treat you well. His annoyance has entirely passed away. I gave him a frank idea of a parent’s view of college sports indulged in in moderation, and I think I have partially altered his opinions in the matter.”
“Well,” I said, “if Dr. Drayton had presented the question to us in the way you mention it would have been different.”
“And yet,” remarked Ray, “it is better as it is, for now we are readmitted without any condition.”
“It is all over now, and you certainly have come out of it pretty well, all things considered,” said Mr. Wendell, “and my mind is immensely relieved. I am especially pleased to know that you have kept up your studies. Dr. Drayton spoke of that with considerable commendation. I hope you have lost no ground.”
“None at all, I think,” answered Ray. “I am sure we are well abreast of our class.”
“So am I,” broke in Tony. “Having the advantage of lectures and recitations, I used to ask Harry questions and try to coach him, but I soon found that he knew more about the subjects than I did, so I left him alone, in order to keep my own self respect.”