he room.

"What do you suppose it means that Peter John is going?" was Foster's
first question after their visitor had departed.

"I don't know, but I don't like the look of it," responded Will.

"Neither do I. Can we do anything to stop it?"

"No, I'm afraid not. Peter John is getting beyond us."

Foster shook his head thoughtfully but made no response, and the work
was resumed. For an hour each boy labored at his desk, and then Foster
was the first to break in upon the silence.

"Will," he said, "I think I'll go with you on that trip with the team."

"I don't think I'll go," said Will quietly.

"Not go? Why not?" demanded Foster in astonishment.

"I've been thinking it over and I've made up my mind that it won't do
for me to break in on the regular program I've mapped out for myself.
You see Saturday is the day when I always have a double dose with my
tutor, and it won't do for me to spoil it," and Will Phelps made a wry
face as he spoke.

"But, Will," protested Foster, "you can make up the work before then and
not lose a bit."

"Yes, I've thought of that, but I don't think I'll do it. It's a bitter
dose I know, but I might as well swallow it first as last."

"Do you mean it?"

"Don't I act as if I did?"

"All right. I'll not say another word. Maybe it'll be a way out for
Peter John. I'd like to fix it for the fellow if I can."

"I don't just see--" began Will; but he stopped when he perceived that
his room-mate had risen from his seat and was about to depart from the
room.

On the following day the excitement among the students of Winthrop
increased when a mass meeting was held and various leading spirits of
the college delivered very florid and perfervid addresses in which the
student-body was urged to support the team and take advantage of the low
rates offered to accompany it and be on hand on the field to cheer it on
to victory. Shouts and cheers greeted the speakers, and when the meeting
broke up and the boys were returning to their rooms Mott and Peter John
joined Will on his way to Perry Hall.

"Have the time of your young life on Saturday, Phelps," said Mott
loudly.

"I'm not going."

"Why not? All the fellows are."

"I'd like to, but I've some work I _must_ do, and I can't break in on
it."

"You must be a 'shark' Phelps," laughed Mott. "I'd like to see the work
that would keep me away. Peter John Schenck and I intend to take it all
in, don't we, freshman?" he added, turning to his