The ringleaders, being veterans, viewed the speech from the point of view of artists, and were unanimous in their appreciation. The episode had for Stover, however, unfortunate complications. With the closing of the scholastic season came the elections in the Houses. The Kennedy House, unanimously and with much enthusiasm, chose the Honorable Honest John Stover to succeed the Honorable King Lentz as administrator and benevolent despot for the ensuing year.
This election, coming as it did as a complete surprise to Stover, was naturally a source of deep gratification. His enjoyment, however, was rudely shocked when, the next morning after chapel, the Doctor stopped him and said:
"Stover, I am considerably surprised at the choice of the Kennedy House and I am not at all sure that I shall ratify it. Nothing in your career has indicated to me your fitness for such a place of responsibility. I shall have a further talk with Mr. Hopkins and let him know my decision."
The Roman! Of course it was The Roman! Of course he had been raging at the thought of his elevation to the presidency! Dink, forgetting the hundred and one times he had met the Faculty in the Monday afternoon deliberations, rushed out to spread the news of The Roman's vindictive persecution. Every one was indignant, outraged at this crowning insult to a free electorate. The whole House would protest _en masse_ if the despot's veto was exercised.
At the hour of these angry threats The Roman, persecutor of Dink, was actually saying to the tyrant:
"Doctor, I think it would be the best thing--the very best. It will bring out the manliness, the serious earnestness that is in the boy."
"What, you say that!" said the Doctor, a little impatiently, for it was only the morrow of the parade. "I should think your patience would be exhausted. The scamp has been in more mischief than any other boy in the school. He's incorrigibly wild!"
"No--no. I shouldn't say that. Very high spirited--excess of energy--too much imagination--that's all. There's nothing vicious about the boy."
"But as president, Hopkins, not as president!"
"No one better," said The Roman firmly. "The boy is bound to lead. I know what's in him--he will rise to his responsibility. Doctor, you will see. I have never lost confidence in him."