Will Phelps had been elected temporary secretary and treasurer of his class, the choice having been made chiefly because his appearance, as he stood on the platform, pleased his classmates, and not because of any general acquaintance that had been formed.  And yet his election had brought him at once into a certain prominence, and doubtless Will was duly appreciative of the honor bestowed upon him.

The member of the junior class to whom had been entrusted the organizing of the freshmen now rose to give some general words of advice before the meeting was adjourned.  “There are some things in college,” he was saying, “that have the force of laws.  Some of them will appear foolish to you, it may be, and yet it will be more foolish to disregard them.  For example, freshmen are not expected to go up to the hotel parlors in the evening, it would be decidedly better for them not to display on their caps or jersey the letters or numerals of the schools from which they have come, and they must not tack their cards on the doors of their rooms.”  Walker, the junior, continued his directions until he thought he had covered most of the details of the life upon which the incoming class was entering, but his remarks were not completed when Peter John Schenck arose from his seat and stood facing the president.  There was a momentary pause as Walker ceased speaking, and the eyes of all the class were turned toward Peter John.

After due deliberation, Peter John said in a loud voice, “Mr. President, I move that we adjourn.”

The hush that followed was broken by a loud laugh which had been started by Walker himself.  Peter John, however, glanced about the room as if he was unable to perceive what it was that had caused the outbreak.  Apparently unabashed, he again turned to the class president and said, “Isn’t a motion to adjourn always in order, Mr. President?  If it is, then I repeat my former motion.  I move that we adjourn.”

Hawley was too good-natured to treat the interruption as it deserved, so he said, “Is the motion seconded?”

Apparently it was not, and still unabashed, Peter John again took his seat while Walker resumed his remarks.

“I don’t know that I have anything more to say, only to tell you fellows to be careful.  College traditions and customs have all the force of laws, and though some of them may seem to be foolish, still I believe in the main they help to make the life here what it is, and that’s what you all want to get.  If you have any questions to ask, don’t be afraid to come to me with them, or to any of the juniors, and you’ll be given all we know, which, though I can promise you it may not be much, still may be just a little more than you know.  Or, perhaps, some of you,” he added, glancing quizzically in the direction of Peter John Schenck as he spoke.

When Walker departed from the room, Peter John was again the first to arise.  “I move we adjourn,” he said in a loud voice.