"That's not what I came about," said Story, "though it fits in all the better. Dink, you won't mind our clearing up a little past history?" "I wish you would, Bob," said Stover earnestly. "I know you never saw things my way." "No, I didn't. I don't say you were wrong. It was a question of different temperaments. You did a braver thing than I would have done--" "Oh, I say--" "Yes, I mean it. Of course I think it was all a rotten mistake, and that if you'd talked the matter out as you've done with me, Le Baron and Reynolds would have seen your side." "Perhaps so." "I felt that Reynolds had acted like an ass, and you very naturally had lost your temper--the result being to put the society in the position as a society of dictating a man's friendships. I don't believe that was justified." "Indirectly, Bob, it worked out that way." "There I believe you're right, Dink," said Story openly. "I've come to see it, and I admit it now. I'm glad the system has gone. I'm for the best here. Now, Dink,"--he hesitated a moment--"I know you've been through a rotten time; you've felt every one was against you unjustly. I know all that, and I know you've got hold of yourself again." "That's true." "What I want to talk over with you now is this. Don't let what has passed keep you away from any one in the class." "But, Bob," said Dink, amazed, "how can I help it? The soph crowd must be down on me--particularly now." "Rats, they all know pretty well the circumstances, and they all respect your nerve, that's honest. We like a good fighter up here. Now, Dink, more than ever, we need a real leader here to bring us together again. Don't leave the field to Bain and Hunter--they're all right in their way, but they can't see things in a big way. Go right out where you've always gone, twice the man you used to be, and make us all follow you. Don't make apologies for what you did--go out as though you were proud of it, and the whole bunch will rise up and follow you." "I get what you mean," said Stover solemnly. "That's horse sense, Bob--you've always got that. I wish you'd said it before." "I wish I had." Stover looked at him wondering, but not daring to ask if some one else had prompted him to the act. "It's strange you came just now, Bob," he said. "You've put words in my mouth that were already there. I've just been talking over a scheme that I think's a big idea. It's Brockhurst's." He detailed the plan and his own suggestion. Story was enthusiastic. They talked at length, drawing up a list of possible members, with the enthusiasm of pioneers. "I say, Dink, there's one thing more," said Bob, as he started to go. "I've been thinking a lot lately about things here, and what I want for the next two years--this is about ended. I'd like to propose something to you." "Propose it." "What do you say to you and me, Joe Hungerford, and Tom Regan, all rooming together another year?" "Tom?" said Stover, surprised a moment. "The very thing if he'd do it."