CHAPTER XIX

DAVE STANDS ON PRINCIPLE

A motion to adjourn being always “in order,” the class president put it.

“Aye!” came a thundering response.

“Contrary minded?”

“No.”

The ayes appeared to have it, but the chair called for a showing of hands.  Then the chair declared the class meeting adjourned.

“Hustle along with us, Darry.  I want to talk with you!” sputtered Farley.  He thrust an arm inside of Dave’s and carried him along, Dalzell and Page following.  Straight to Darrin’s quarters they went.

“Now, then,” demanded Farley, almost savagely, “what’s the meaning of the very remarkable exhibition that you gave the class?”

“How was it remarkable?” questioned Dave.

“In your asking the class to send you to Coventry along with Jetson.”

“It wasn’t just to Jetson, just because he made a slip, that he should be shunned by the whole class.”

“Couldn’t the class decide that better than one man?” insisted Farley, his eyes gleaming.

“Without a doubt,” Dave admitted.  “I didn’t attempt to do the deciding for the class.  All I did was to try to throw my personal weight against it.”

“And you compelled the class to adjourn without attending to Jetson’s case.”

“You’re wrong, there, Farl”

“Didn’t you?”

“I certainly didn’t.”

“Darry, you knew the class wouldn’t vote to send you to Coventry just because you had ventured to give your opinion.  Now, the only way the class could escape from the consequences of your action was to adjourn without action on Jetson.”

“It was you, Farl, who moved to adjourn.”

“Just to save a lot of hot-bloods from jumping on you, Darry.  They’d have done it in another minute.  The motion to adjourn was the only thing we could do.”

“That’s just it,” nodded Midshipman Page.

“But there’ll have to be another meeting called right away,” Farley went on.  “The brigade will expect it—­will have a right to demand it.  A member of our class has insulted the whole brigade, and under our old traditions only the second class can administer discipline.”

“Well, then,” pursued Darrin calmly, “when the new meeting is held Jetson and myself can be punished, if that be the wish of the entire class.”

“Darry,” stormed Farley, “you’ve simply got to withdraw your fool remarks when the class comes together again.”

“Do you expect that I’ll do that?” Dave inquired.

“If you don’t,” retorted Farley warmly, “you won’t be worth the further concern of your friends.  What do you say, Danny boy?”

“From what I know of Dave Darrin,” replied Dalzell, “the class will be wasting its time if it expects Darry to retract.”

“But what do you want to be sent to Coventry for?” demanded Farley.