"If the gentleman is really sincere, he should not desert the Clionian in the hour of danger." "I insist upon my resignation," said Fletcher.
"I move that it be accepted," said Tom Carver.
"Second the motion," said the boy who sat next him.
The resignation was unanimously accepted.

Fletcher ought to have felt gratified at the prompt granting of his request, but he was not.
He had intended to strike dismay into the Society by his proposal to withdraw, but there was no consternation visible.

Apparently they were willing to let him go.
He rose from his seat mortified and wrathful.
"Gentlemen," he said, "you have complied with my request, and I am deeply grateful.

I no longer consider it an honor to belong to the Clionian.

I trust your new President may succeed as well in his new office as he has in the capacity of a printer's devil." Fletcher was unable to proceed, being interrupted by a storm of hisses, in the midst of which he hurriedly made his exit.
"He wanted to be President himself--that's what's the matter," said Tom Carver in a whisper to his neighbor.