"When you went upstairs to Dad. You will never weaken, I know." She came a little towards him, and understanding, he took her gently, wonderingly, in his arms. "It's going to be very hard for you," she said, "Tap Day--to stand there and know that you may be misjudged. I should be very proud to announce our engagement, then--that same day." Then he knew that he held in his arms one who had never given so much as her hand lightly, who came to him in unflinching loyalty, whose only interest would be his interest, who would know no other life but his life, whose joy would be the struggle that was his struggle. Tap Day arrived at last, cloudy and misty. He had slept badly in fits and starts, nor had the others fared better, with the exception of Regan, who had rumbled peacefully through the night--but then Regan was one whom others sought. The morning was interminable, a horror. They did not even joke about the approaching ordeal. No one was so sure of election but that the possible rejection of some chum cast its gloom over the day. Dink ran over a moment after lunch with Bob for a last word with Jean. She was going with her father and mother to see the tapping from a window in Durfee. "I shall only see you," she said to him, with her hands in his, and her loyal eyes shining. "I shall be so proud of the way you take it." "So you think I won't be tapped," he said slowly. "It means so little now," she said. "That can't add a feather's weight to what you are." They went back to their rooms, joining Hungerford and Regan, who were whiling away the time playing piquet. "Here," said Tom in relief when they entered, "one of you fellows keep Joe entertained, the darn fool has suddenly made up his mind he's going to be passed over." Regan, relinquishing his place, went back to his book. "Why, Joe, you fluffy ass," said Story affectionately, "you're the surest of the lot. Shut up--cheer us up instead." "Look at that mound of jelly," said Hungerford peevishly, pointing to Regan. "Has he any nerves?" "What's the use of fidgeting?" said Regan. An hour later Hungerford stretched his arm nervously, rose and consulted the clock. "Four-fifteen; let's hike over in about twenty minutes." "All right." "Say, I don't mind saying that I feel as though I were going to be taken out, stuck full of holes, sawed up, drawn and quartered and boiled alive. I feel like jumping on an express and running away." Stover, remembering Joe's keen suffering at the spectacle back in freshman year, said gravely: "You're sure, Joe. You'll go among the first. Come back with smelling salts for me. I've got to stand through the whole thing and grin like a Cheshire cat--that's _de rigueur_. Do you remember how bully Dudley was when he missed out? Funny--then I thought I had a cinch." "If it was left to our class, you would, Dink," said Bob. "Thanks." Stover smiled a little at this unconscious avowal of his own estimate, rose, picked out his favorite pipe, and said: