“Good-night,” answered Trevor. Then, as he burrowed his head contentedly in the pillow, he thought: “I fancy it’s all right now, and he won’t have to throw that boot after all!” CHAPTER VIII CANDIDATES FOR THE CREW Roy Taylor’s work was apparent when on the following Tuesday afternoon the candidates for the crew reported in the rowing-room at the gymnasium. Dick counted the assemblage over twice, but could make no more than nineteen, a sorry showing compared with last year; twenty men--including himself--from which to select two eights! But he was careful to let none of the discontent that he felt appear on his face. “There aren’t very many of us, fellows,” he said cheerfully, “but I guess we all mean business, and that’s a good deal.” Professor Beck entered at that moment, paused to remove his rubbers, and then surveyed the candidates through his glasses. “Well, boys, are you all here?” His gaze traveled around the room. “But I see that you’re not. Four o’clock was the hour, wasn’t it, Hope?” “Yes, sir; and it’s now a quarter after. I guess they’re all here that are coming.” “Bless me, this won’t do! How many--four, six, ten, sixteen, twenty? Twenty men for two crews. What do you fellows think we’re going to race with this year, pair-oars?” The candidates, perched about the room on window-sills and radiators, smiled, but were careful not to laugh aloud, since it was evident that the professor was thoroughly vexed. “Hope, you’ll have to go among the fellows and work up some interest in the crews; and Taylor, you’re an old-crew man, you do the same; and the rest of you, too, I want you all to talk rowing, and next week I want as many more candidates on hand. This is perfect poppycock! Twenty men, indeed! Well, that’s all I’ve got to say to you; now listen to Captain Hope.” And the professor withdrew to a window, where he polished his glasses vigorously and made a number of the new candidates very nervous by the critical way in which he studied them. “I’d like every fellow’s name before he leaves,” said Dick. “And I want to see every one here promptly at three o’clock next Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile those of you who haven’t been examined for crew work will please attend to it. Have you set any special days, professor?” “Yes, to-morrow and Saturday afternoons,” answered the latter, “between four and six.”