Page:The spirit of the leader (IA spiritofleader00heyl).pdf/36

 the interview would be. If Littlefield expected to sit there and gloat at the sight of him offering apology and excuse to Mr. Banning, then Littlefield was doomed to disappointment.

But Mr. Banning's smile was warm. He motioned to a chair drawn close to his own.

"We'll have to keep our voices down," he said, "so as not to disturb the others. I want to talk to a number of the fellows—personally—you among them. Later, each home room is to elect delegates to a central body that will be a sort of school Congress. Some one of these home rooms, as time runs along, is going to develop students with the powers of leadership. That home room is going to become the leading home room. It is going to write its influence into every classroom, every organization, every team in Northfield. We want Room 13 to be that leader. That's the reason why I want to talk to you and some of the others who are going to be the leaders of the room."

Perry sat there in the grip of numbing amazement. To be called in conference as a leader. His body stiffened. He kept his position in the chair, very still and very straight, as though surprise and wonderment had frozen him to a rigidity of shocked incredulity.

"I wanted a few words with you, Perry, about