"Look here, it's bigger than that, Brocky," he said earnestly. "I'm not criticizing--I like the idea, the whole thing, you know. But here's what we can do. Make the club, say, forty, and get into it all the representative elements of the class--make it a real meeting place. Get the fellows who are going to be managers and captains. They've all got to speak--the fellows on papers, the real debaters--and you'll have something that'll bring the class together." "What would you debate?" said Swazey, while the others considered Stover's suggestion. "College subjects every one has an opinion about at first," said Regan. "And then get into red-hot politics." "Of course Stover's idea is a social one--democratic if you will," said Brockhurst perplexed. "My idea was for a more intimate crowd, all alike, trying to discuss real things." "Brocky, I don't believe you can do it," said Stover. "My experience is that the big discussions, the ones worth while, always are informal, just as they've been in this crowd, and the crowd mustn't be too large." Several nodded assent. "The other thing is something we need in the class. We've been torn to pieces, all at loggerheads, and I believe, outside of the debating, this is the first step to getting together. Moreover, I think you'll find all crowds will jump at the chance. Let me talk it around." "I think Dink's got the practical idea, Brocky," said Regan. "And, moreover, he's the man to work it." As they went out together they were met with the sensation of the campus--the sophomore societies had been abolished! Stover stopped McNab, who was hurrying past. "I say, Dopey, is it true?" "Sure thing." "How'd it happen?" "Don't know." Gimbel came up with the full news. "The President gave them a certain time, you remember, to submit a plan of reform. They reported they couldn't agree, so he called the committee together and said: "'Well, gentlemen, I gave you the opportunity to conform to public sentiment, you haven't been able to do it, you are now abolished.'" "Who'd have thought it!" "You don't say so!" "Abolished!" "I know you're glad, Dink, old man," said Gimbel, shaking his hand with a confidential look. "We all know how you stood." "It's for the best," said Stover slowly; then he added: "But Gimbel, the fight's over; the big thing now is for the class to get together--be careful how you fellows take it." Strangely enough, in the hour of defeat the instinct of caste came back to him--he was again the sophomore society man. He walked over to his rooms with a curious feeling of resentment at the rejoicing on the campus, where the news was being shouted from window to window. Bob Story, leaving the fence, came over and took him by the arm. "Dink, old fellow, I've been waiting to see you." "I've just heard the news," said Stover, when they reached his room.