cognisance of conditions existing--hem!" Mr.
Fernald glanced doubtfully down the table. "Perhaps it should, though.
We'll pass that question for the moment. What is it you suggest, Byrd?"

"Well, sir, the team's in punk shape. It was awful today. It needs Tom,
sir; needs him awfully. I don't say that we'll beat Claflin if he should
play, Mr. Fernald, but I'm mighty sure we won't if he doesn't. And it
seemed to me that maybe you and the other faculty members hadn't thought
of how much harder you were giving it to Tom than to the rest of us, and
that if you did know, realise it, sir, you'd maybe consider that he'd
had about enough and let him off so he might play Saturday. The rest of
us haven't any kick coming, sir. It's just Tom. And he doesn't know that
I'm here, either. We tried to get him to let us petition faculty, but he
wouldn't. He said he was going to take the same punishment as the rest
of us."

"Then he doesn't agree with your contention, Byrd?"

"Oh, he sees I'm right, Mr. Fernald, but he--he's obstinate!"

Mr. Fernald smiled, as did most of the others.

"Byrd, I think you ought to take a law course," said the principal. "I
might answer you as I started to by pointing out that it is no business
of ours whether a punishment is going to hit one fellow harder than
another; that just because it might should make that one fellow more
careful not to transgress. But you've taken the wind out of my sails by
getting me to testify that we intended the punishment to be the same for
all. You've put us in a difficult place, Byrd. If we should lift
probation in Hall's case it would seem that we had different laws for
team members than for boys unconnected with athletics. You've made a
very eloquent plea, but I don't just see----" Mr. Fernald hesitated.
Then: "Possibly someone has some suggestion," he added, and it seemed to
Amy that his gaze rested on Mr. Moller for an instant.

At all events it was the new member of the faculty who spoke. "If I
might, sir," he said hesitatingly, "I'd like to make the suggestion that
probation be lifted from all. It seems to me that that would--would
simplify things, Mr. Fernald."

"Hm. Yes. Possibly. As the target of the extremely vulgar proceeding,
Mr. Moller, the suggestion coming from you bears weight. Byrd, you'd
better get to your studies. You'll learn our decision in the morning.
Your action is commendable, my boy, and we'll take that into
consideration also. Good-night."