"Wouldn't you like to know?" said the secretary.

I said I would, and, as president, considered I was entitled to the
information.

"We're not as green as we look; are we, you chaps?" said Trimble. "Why,
you don't suppose we're going to let out and give you a chance of
blabbing to the day-boy cads, do you?"

"I'm not any more likely to blab than you are," said I, warmly.

"All serene. You keep your temper--you'll know time enough."

"Suppose I resigned," said I, feeling I must support my dignity.

"Resign away. We've got your subscription."

"I don't mean I shall," said I; "but--"

"Shut up, and don't disturb the committee meeting."

"If I'm president, I suppose I've a right to speak."

"Not till you're asked."

"All right," said I, playing my trump card desperately. "When you do
ask me what's wrong with the grammar of your Latin motto, I sha'n't tell
you. Ha, ha!--_corpore sanae_. You should hear the fellows yell."

The effect of this announcement was electrical, Langrish turned white,
and Trimble turned red. The others bit their nails in silence. It was
a season of delicious triumph to me. I was master of the situation for
once, and resolved to remain so as long as possible.

"Why, what's wrong with it?" said Warminster, presently.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" said I.

"_Corpore's_ feminine, isn't it?" asked Coxhead.

"Common gender, I fancy," said Purkis; "depends on who the chap is."

"You mean if it was Sarah it would be feminine, and if it was one of us
it would be masculine," said Langrish.

This was a nasty one for me, but I held my ground.

"You'd better look it up in the dictionary," said I.

This was diplomatic; for although I knew the motto was wrong I could not
quite say what it should have been.

After much labour it was decided that _corpore_ was neuter, and that the
adjective in consequence must be _sanum_.

A resolution to that effect was proposed and seconded, but an amendment
to the effect that as the document had gone out in the name of the
president and every one knew it was his work, it was no business of the
present company to help him out of the mess, was carried by a large
majority.

With which delightful solution of the difficulty--delightful to every
one but myself--we proceeded to the order of the day, which was to
arrange the details of our picnic next half-holiday.

My colleagues remained obdurate on the question of revealing the place.

"If the da