The Spirit of the School

t the school. It was said that Billy Cameron was not going to be allowed to play; that some of the fellows were going to demand the resignation of the present manager, and that Phin Dorr

the third class. After calling the meeting to order, for once not a difficult task, since the[160] audience was consumed with curiosity, Cupples introduced Phin. Phin made t

even the scoffers. There were plenty of these; Bert was there, and Larry Royle, and King, and Conly and others of the first team; and there was a liberal sprinkling of first cla

which was at present disturbing the[161] school. As a consequence he made many assertions not quite borne out by facts and, like an Irishman at a fair, hit whatever heads were within reach. This was what the fellows wanted to hear, and Spring got lots of applause, especially when

and made a speech that won loud applause. Royle said there were fellows in school that made him mighty tired, and that if it was

at once a surprise and a triumph for Phin and Hansel and Spring. As finally adopted the resolution resolved, after several “Whereases,” that it was “the sentiment of the school in mass meeting assembled that Phineas Dorr, Edward Cupples, and Barnard Spring be constituted a committee to examine into the condition of athletic

ix miles, reaching home just as the bell on Academy Hall was ringing for vesper

d. “There’s a popular[163] belief here that Phin doesn’t really e

ce but Phin wouldn’t let her. She’s a dear old lady—only, I guess she isn’t so very old, after all—and is mighty good to Phin; looks after him just as his own mothe

of honor, my boy. Anyone has only to look at Phin to know that he doesn’t get a square me

’t pay very much,

vigorous campaign, and[164] in the evening they called on Mr. Ames and spent nearly two hours in his study

play in Saturday’s

ly is,” was

n you’ll have t

ou mean?”

will not play in any outside g

hole!” cried the other in alarm.

I’m out of it. If you like I’ll keep in training and play in p

any good, anyway. Hansel refused to argue, refused to fight, refused[165] to lose his temper. The matter was carried to

ving him practice. We’ll put Cutler in at right end and hammer some football into his thick head. But this means tha

Ames, “that you could do better by

asked Be

has done some wonderful work with the ball; they say he’s like a cat at working the ends.

at’s just what Hansel and Phin[166] and that crowd

erfere in the matter. Keep Cameron

ecause of his anti-Cameron attitude. It did not get out until after the Warren game that he had refused to play because of Cameron’s presence. The football authorities came in for a good deal

y[167] had been empty the last two days, and Phin had not shown up, either at recitations or at Hansel’s room. So on Thursday afternoon Hansel set off to the village to look him up. He was glad of something to do, for since he had left the eleven the afternoons had grown interminably long and frightfully dull. As he crossed t

t of Hansel, “I thoug

ed Hansel. “A

aid he’d be back at thre

, dropping his voice to match P

marble mantel. “I didn’t mean to let it out, Hansel, but I don’t believe it matters, anyway. I kept it secret on her account; she made me promise. She wouldn’t come out here this winter unless I promised to keep it secret; you see, Hansel, she thought the fellows m

Hansel, a light dawning on

on her, and see that she didn’t starve herself to death in order to send me money.[169] I thought we could rent the spare room and that she would be able to get some dressmaking to do, but it hasn’

k here, what can I do? Let me go and find

r for very long at a time. It’s Dr. Gordon, you know, thr

into the country when Hansel reached his house, and was already preparing to go to Mrs. F

eumonia,” said Hansel as they

ful response. “If she had enough vitality to keep a mouse al

answere

the matter is, they’re too poor to buy decent food; they’re both of ’em just about half starved. I had a dickens of a time trying to get her to take white of egg; she said eggs were very dear, and thought something else might do. The boy seems awfully fond of he

e little white gate for fear Dr. Gordon would escape him. And as he strolled along his

e you going,

side of town, acros

g? I’d like to

, and was again headed toward the railroad, Dr. Gordon observed Han

s,

It’s a bit early yet to say for sure. I’m going back this evening at ten, and if you’re inter

answered Hansel grate

ght; ca

to have a nurse, sir?”

2] can’t afford it, or think they can’t. The

could get if—if they de

would be just the person for them. I do

ou’ll pull up I’ll ge

up to-night, eh? Glad to

sought Harry on the green. Taking him

arry with a low whistle.

on says so; and they think they can’t afford

ing to follow Hansel’s argu

o get hold o

t’s it?

think nurses charge abou

1

going to ge

ppose

e end of her week, and meanwhile we’ll find plenty of mo

ou suppose he

ards,” said Harry. “Come around this evening an

dollars in my pocket if I

again. He could hear Phin tiptoeing down th

he?” aske

he doctor, though, said he thought she was doing

y, is there anything I can do f

1

recite for me. I guess my sc

you explain—” Ph

Well, it can’t be helped. After all, I dare say I’d better be a

in to tell you that Mrs. Whitney will b

asked Phin wi

the fellows— We knew you didn’t want to stand the expense, but—you can pay it

little smile was trembling around the latter’s mouth and his eyes h

1

me at eight,” murmur

gate and up the street, whistling a b

worried like that,” he explained to himself, “it’s no wo