he climax came the following day with the boat-race at New London. The
Thatchers had returned home immediately after Class Day with plans of
their own still to be carried out, so Huntington and Cosden formed the
body-guard which convoyed Hamlen to the great event. Huntington knew
that he could not credit his friend's feverish anticipation wholly to
the dawning interest in Harvard events, but was equally content to see
how personal a triumph Philip's seat in the boat had become to him. Had
Hamlen's nervousness been shared by his namesake and the other oarsmen
the result of the race might have been foreshadowed! He changed his mind
about going so many times that Huntington finally insisted upon a
definite decision.

"Of course I want to go," he explained; "but I never saw a Harvard crew
win and I can't believe I'm going to now."

"Perhaps you won't," was the frank disavowal of responsibility. "The
worm must turn again some time, and it may be that this is the year, but
Harvard has the habit of winning now, and that goes a long way."

"It would kill me to see Phil lose!" Harden said with deep feeling.

"Tell me," Huntington said,--"tell me frankly for my gratification, is
your eagerness to see Harvard win to-morrow wholly on Phil's account, or
have these days brought your crimson blood near enough to the surface to
make you keen for the crew to win because it's a Harvard crew? Don't
deceive yourself or me. I really want to know."

Hamlen hesitated before making reply, then he returned Huntington's look
with a frankness which conveyed much. His eye was clear and responsive
now; the haunting terror had left it. He met the question squarely.

"Until this moment," he said, "I supposed myself sincere in believing
that my interest lay wholly in having that boy come through victorious,
but as you put it to me now I know there is a reason which lies deeper
still. Thanks to you, dear friend, notes in my life which have always
before been mute have now been struck, and I am finding a wonderful joy
in the melody produced. I have awakened to my heritage, and I realize
what I have missed in denying myself its privileges. I want Harvard to
win, Huntington, because it's Harvard. I shall always want Harvard to
win for the same reason. It may be better for the sport to have the
victories alternate, it may be impossible to defend anything so selfish
as a desire for an unbroken line of victories for years to come; but
still I want it. T