Allingford presided, and the excitement was intense.
A hush of expectation fell on the crowded room as the captain mounted the platform on which stood the head-master's desk.

Up to the present time elections at Ronleigh had been little more than a matter of form, but on this occasion every one felt that something more was at stake than the mere distribution of the school offices.
"Gentlemen, the business of this meeting, as you are very well aware, is to announce the result of the elections.
"The following," continued Allingford, referring to the paper which he held in his hand, "have been chosen to act as the Sports Committee: Myself chairman, Oaks, Acton, Rowland, Parkes, Redfern, and Hoyle.
"The two former librarians, Clarkson and Lang, have been re-elected.
"Dale, who for some time past held the position of keeper of the reading-room, having left, the choice of a successor has fallen between Lucas and Ferris, who, singularly enough, both received the same number of votes.

Each of these gentlemen being equally ready to withdraw in the other's favour, I exercised my prerogative as captain of the school, and gave the casting vote in favour of Lucas." At this there was a slight murmur among the audience, though whether of dissent or approval it was impossible to tell.

The interruption was only momentary, for every one was too much interested in the next announcement to care much what became of the post of keeper of the reading-room.
"As you all know, two vacancies have occurred among the prefects, to fill which the following gentlemen have been chosen, and their election duly sanctioned by the head-master: Parkes and Fielding." The words had hardly passed the speaker's lips when the whole room was in an uproar.

Cheers, howls, whistling, and the stamping of feet filled the air with an indescribable din; members of the Lower Fourth fought one another across the desks; and it was some minutes before Allingford could obtain sufficient silence to enable him to finish his speech.
"This," he said, in conclusion, "is the result of the present election.
I believe there has been some little difference of opinion among you, especially in regard to the selection of the two fresh prefects; there are so many worthy fellows in the Sixth that one can hardly wonder at your finding some difficulty in making your choice.