"You are right, Hickey, you are right," said Turkey apologetically. "The binomial theorem is a delight and a joy, when, as you say, the master has mutual trust in the scholar. But where in blazes, Hickey, did you get this political shindy into your thinker?" "It's Elder Brother's theory of education," said Hickey carefully, "_one_ of his theories. Elder Brother is very much distressed at the ignorance, the political ignorance, of the modern boy. Brother is right." "Come off," said the Egghead, glancing at him suspiciously, but Hickey maintained a serious face. "What's up?" said Macnooder, sauntering over to the crowd on the lawn. "Hickey's fixed up a plan with Brotherly Love to have a political campaign," said the Gutter Pup, "and is trying to rouse our enthusiasm." "A campaign here in the school, in the Lawrenceville School, John C. Green Foundation!" said Macnooder incredulously. "The same!" "No? I won't believe it. It's a dream--it's a beautiful, satisfying dream," said Macnooder, shaking his head. "A political campaign in school; Hickey, my bounding boy, I see your cunning hand!" "Now Doc's gone nutty," said the unimaginative Egghead. "What the deuce do you see in it?" "Hickey, you old, rambunctious, foxy, prodigious Hickey, I knew something was brewing," said Doc, not deigning to notice the Egghead. "You have been quiet, most quiet of late. Hickey, how did you do it?" "Sympathy, Doc," said Hickey blandly. "I've been most sympathetic with Elder Brother, sympathetic and most encouraging. Sympathy is a beautiful thing, Doc, beautiful and rare." "Hickey, don't torture me with curiosity," said Doc. "Where are we at?" "At the present moment, Brother is asking the Doctor for permission to launch the campaign, and the sympathetic, popular and serious Hickey Hicks is proceeding to select a preliminary conference committee." "And what then?" said Turkey, with sudden interest. "What then?" said Hickey. "Bonfires, parades, stump speeches, proclamations, et cetera, et ceteray." "Oh, Hickey," said the now enthusiastic Gutter Pup, "do you think the Doctor ever will permit it?" "What's the use of getting excited?" said the Egghead contemptuously. "You don't fancy for a moment, do you, there's a chance of fooling the Doctor?" "Sure, Egghead's right," said Butcher Stevens; "you won't get the Doctor to bite. Baldwin is green, but the Doctor is quite ripe, thank you!" Even Macnooder looked dubiously at Hickey, who assumed an air of superhuman wisdom and answered: "I have two chances, Baldwin and the Decoy Ducks!" "The what?" "Decoy Ducks; the committee that will confer to-morrow afternoon with the Doctor." Turkey emitted a long, admiring whistle. "I have given the matter thought--serious thought, as Baldwin would say," said Hickey. "The following collection of Archangels and young High Markers will be rounded up for the Doctor's inspection to-morrow." "As Decoy Ducks?"