Those who are supposed to be able to feel the pulse of the University move about with the weight of much knowledge upon their brows, throwing out hints as to the probable majority one way or the other.

Some profess to know it to a nicety.

Others shake their heads and remark vaguely that there is not much to choose either way.

So week after week goes by, until the excitement reaches a climax when the date of the election comes round.
There was no need upon that day for Dr.Dimsdale or any other stranger in the town to ask his way to the University, for the whooping and yelling which proceeded from that usually decorous building might have been heard from Prince's Street to Newington.

In front of the gates was a dense crowd of townspeople peering through into the quadrangle, and deriving much entertainment from the movements of the lively young gentlemen within.