Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/43



HE campaign to elect Harry president of the athletic association was quiet but industrious. If a boy found himself walking with a member of the Crown, it was surprising how soon the conversation would turn to a discussion of candidates. The Crown adherent would ask his companion, quite deferentially, what he thought; and if the boy expressed the usual mistaken preference for Rupert Ormsby the Crown man would concede all Rupert's good qualities, but would say that in spite of them Harry Harding seemed to him the best fellow for the place.

If he was a skillful campaigner, he would enlarge upon Harry's excellent qualifications without at all detracting from Rupert's until the last, when he had perhaps got his friend into an agreeable and receptive state. By that time it would be safe, even while admitting Rupert's virtues, to be a little skeptical.