Page:The spirit of the leader (IA spiritofleader00heyl).pdf/40

 notice appeared on the bulletin boards as the home rooms gathered and no information was given out as the day wore on. Twice that afternoon, in Room 13, Perry saw Praska and Littlefield studying him and trying to hide their scrutiny. What they might think of him now had ceased to vex him.

After classes he came back to Room 13 to get a notebook. The Dramatic Club had the use of the auditorium for a tryout of candidates for the Christmas play; as he came from the room, a group of the club members were on their way to the stairs.

"Something's going on in the football squad," one of the crowd said wisely. "I heard that they were holding up the ballot and keeping an eye on one of the candidates. Wonder who it can be?"

Perry wondered too—and felt a shaft of envy for the lucky fellow who still had a chance.

That evening, on the street, he met Praska. The friendly greeting he had resented in Room 13 now warmed him. They spoke of many things, but all the while the football guard seemed turning something in his mind in his slow way. Suddenly:

"Did Mr. Banning ask you to change that attendance sheet?"