“Well, after going over it all, the committees decided that there wouldn’t be time to run off all the events in one day, and so we decided to have a preliminary meet one afternoon a few days before the main one. Everyone seemed to like the idea, which was brought up by Exter, so we fell in with it. The hurdle race is always popular, and if we split up things, we’ll get two crowds instead of one, and make that much more money.”
“Good idea,” declared Frank. “Me for the hurdle.”
“Better save yourself for the main show,” warned Holly.
A meeting of the committees of arrangements from the four colleges was scheduled for the next afternoon, and, as Tom, and some of the other lads had time to spare they went with Holly, Kindlings, and the others of the committee to attend. The session was to be held at Exter.
“There’s Shambler,” remarked Phil, as with his chums and the others, they stood waiting for the trolley. “I wonder if he’s coming?”
“It’s a free country,” declared Frank. “We can’t stop him.”
“Hello, fellows,” greeted the new student, as he sauntered up. “Guess I’ll take in the show if you haven’t any objections.”
“No, come along,” invited Holly, for he realized that considerable depended on Shambler in the coming games.
“How’s the foot, Simpson?” went on the lad who had caused the mischief to Frank.
“Oh, it’s all right, practically. But that doesn’t mean that I want you to jump on my back again,” exclaimed the Big Californian, with a laugh.
“No danger,” promised Shambler. “I thought I’d like to size up some of these Exter lads, and see what sort of material we’ve got to go up against,” he explained to Kindlings, who nodded comprehendingly.
There were a number of lads from Boxer Hall, and several from Fairview on hand at Exter when the committee went into session. The meeting was held behind closed doors, and meanwhile those who had come as spectators strolled about over the Exter grounds.
“Some college all right,” admired Shambler, who was making himself very much at home all over the place.
“But it can’t come up to Randall, even if it is newer,” declared Phil. “You can’t make a college in a year or so.”
The Exter lads were sociably inclined, and made their guests informally welcome. There was talk among the representatives of the four institutions about the coming games.