Page:The spirit of the leader (IA spiritofleader00heyl).pdf/66

 "Why five signers?" Hammond asked belligerently.

"Well" George hesitated. "If a fellow can't get five students to sign his petition he wouldn't get five votes. That means he'd simply clog up the ballot and take strength from the real candidates. This election is a big thing for Room 13 and I'd like to see it go right."

There was no applause as he sat down, but now two or three of the students appeared thoughtful. Perry, not quite so sure of himself as he had been before, asked Mr. Banning to express an opinion, but the teacher smiled and shook his head. His policy, he told them, was to let them handle their own affairs without interference so long as he could. But even as he said it, his glance, with its fire of idealism, went to Praska and lingered.

The football guard had no false conceptions of what was to follow. No one offered another plan, and the matter went to a vote.

"All those who are in favor of the method as outlined by Mr. King" Mr. Banning began, and there was a clatter and rattle of seats as the students came to their feet. Johnny Baffin hesitated until he saw the overwhelming sway of sentiment, and then joined the crowd.

Nine boys remained seated, stoically unmind-