Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/38

18 ber. If a fellow is n't with us when he can be, he's against us, and I don't see why we should be represented by such a fellow or do anything to help his election."

"But if he's the best man for the place"—struck in Harry.

"Any man's all right for the place—if he's a good fellow and popular with the school, and interested enough in athletics not to seem absurd in such a position. What I say is that now the Crown can't afford to elect Rupert Ormsby. The only way we can keep our prestige with the school is by keeping all the honors in the Crown. We've always had the presidency; we've got to have it this year just as usual."

There was an interval of silence after this speech; the boys looked impressed. Harry, in his zeal to save the situation for Rupert, adopted a weak argument—one that was a direct challenge to the pride of the society.

"There's nobody in our crowd we could elect over Rupert," he said.

"Oh, I guess there is," declared Tom Albree.