If anger had been at the boiling point before, the situation was
even worse now.
Page and Fenwick openly challenged Clairy to fight. He replied,
in each case, with a cool, smiling refusal.
"We've got to hold that class meeting!" growled Farley.
"Why?" inquired Dave. "The class can't do anything more to Clairy
than has already been done. His refusals to fight will send him
to Coventry as securely as could action by all four of the classes.
No fellow here can refuse to fight, unless he couples with his
refusal an offer to submit the case to his own class for action.
No one, henceforth, will have a word to say to Clairy."
"Perhaps not; but I still insist that the class meeting ought
to be called."
This was the general sentiment among the first classmen. Darrin
was the only real dissenter to the plan.
"Oh, well, go ahead and call the class together, if you like,"
agreed Dave. "My main contention is that such a meeting will
be superfluous. The action of the class has really been taken
already."
"Will you come to the meeting, Darry?" asked Fenwick.
"Really, I don't know," Dave answered thoughtfully. "My presence
would do neither good nor harm. The action of the class has already
been decided. In fact, it has been put into effect."
"Then you won't be there?" spoke up Farley.
"I don't know. I'll come, however, if it will please any of you
especially."
"Oh, bother you, Darry! We're not going to beg your presence
as a favor.
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