“Well, out with it,” said Professor Fuller at length. “I can easily guess your errand.”
“We have come to see you about our suspension,” said Ray. “We want your advice.”
“Why, what advice can I give you?” he asked. “You have made your own decision. Doesn’t that dispose of the matter?”
“We fear it does,” said Ray, “but we have come to see if there is any hope for us under the circumstances. Is there no possible chance of our obtaining some remittance of this penalty?”
“A chance was offered you, was it not?”
“Yes, sir, but the conditions imposed forced us to decline that chance,” answered Ray.
Professor Fuller’s face was grave but kindly.
“And do you think,” he asked, “that baseball is more important than your success in college?”
“No, sir, by no means,” answered Ray earnestly. “Nor did we intend to give Dr. Drayton that impression. While meaning no disrespect either to Dr. Drayton or the faculty, we cannot help feeling that we were placed in an unfair position. Our penalty was five weeks’ suspension for taking part in the disturbances of night before last. Now, if we deserved five weeks why was it not assigned as our penalty without further question? If we deserved two weeks, why was not that assigned? But this baseball matter was dragged in to influence the question. What has our playing baseball to do with the question as to whether our penalty for a misdemeanor shall be five or two weeks? Playing baseball is not a misdemeanor. We felt that our penalty should be assigned simply on our behavior in this case, without being conditioned upon outside matters that have nothing to do with it. We feel that Dr. Drayton has taken advantage of our helpless position to force us into giving up baseball. Our parents do not object to our playing, and we do not see why we should be compelled to make such a choice as was offered us. This is what we think is not fair.”