Ray had grown bolder as he continued, so that, by the time he finished, I feared Professor Fuller would be angry. The latter, however, was quite calm, and listened quietly with folded hands.
When Ray ceased speaking he said:
“Of course, boys, you know that, however much I may sympathize with you, I must speak, as a member of the faculty. But I appreciate the whole weight of what you say, and am sure that you believe that you are doing what is right under the circumstances. I can easily understand your making such a choice, considering the manner in which the matter was presented to you, and I do not wonder at your feelings at the present moment. I will be frank enough to say that the proposition was Dr. Drayton’s and that he carried the matter through. The penalty that would have been assigned under ordinary circumstances was five weeks’ suspension. We took into consideration, however, the many mitigating circumstances in your case, and we were inclined to lessen the sentence greatly. It was then that Dr. Drayton bethought him of this condition. I will not say anything about the matter further than that it was Dr. Drayton’s action entirely. As he was earnestly bent upon your accepting this condition, I can easily understand why your choice should have annoyed him.”
“And is it hopeless?” I asked anxiously.
“That is a question I do not like to answer directly,” said Professor Fuller, smiling. “What would become of the college if the boys should look to me to reverse the decisions of the faculty? I have no such power, you know, nor should I want it. I would be in hot water all the time. I will say this much, however: that I sympathize with you heartily, and that I will see if anything can be done.”
“That is the most we expected,” put in Ray, his face brightening.
“Don’t expect too much,” said the professor. “All that I can do is to see Dr. Drayton and talk the matter over with him. The whole question rests with him, and his authority alone will decide it. The rest of the faculty would be willing enough to relinquish the condition. What my interview with Dr. Drayton will result in remains to be seen. He is a man of strong convictions, as you know, and apt to be especially set in his way when seriously annoyed.”
“I am afraid he is very angry,” said I.
“No doubt of it; still there isn’t a better man at heart to be found than Dr. Drayton, and you can expect justice. I speak from long experience, for I knew him as a classmate years ago, and I have lived close to him the greater part of my life. I will bring the matter up in a few days, when I think the annoyance will have passed away. Meantime what are you going to do?”