five minutes past eight
The Bannister youths stood in excited groups talking of it , and in the dormitories it superseded all thought of study ; however , there seemed little chance that any but the '' ` Varsity '' and T. Haviland Hicks , Jr. , who was always consulted in football problems , would know what took place in this meeting . `` There is only one way to find out , Hicks , '' responded big Butch Brewster , his arm across his blithesome comrade 's shoulders , `` and that is , attend the meeting ! You can wager that every member of the eleven will be there , except Thor -- he regards it as ` foolishness , ' I suppose , and he wo n't spare that precious time from his studies . '' At five minutes past eight , Butch 's prophecy was fulfilled , for every member of the eleven _ was _ in Hicks ' cozy room , except Thor , the Prodigious Prodigy , whose presence would have caused a mild sensation . It was an extremely quiet and orderly gathering , for Coach Corridan , who had the floor , was so grave that he impressed the would-be sky-larking youths . Having their undivided attention , he proceeded to make a speech that , to all intents and purposes , had much the same effect on the team and Hicks as a Zeppelin 's bombs on London : `` Boys , '' he spoke , in forceful sentences , driving straight to the point , `` I am going to take the eleven , and Hicks , whose suggestions are always timely , into my confidence , in the hope that we , working together , may carry out an idea of mine for the awakening of Thor to a realization of things ! I ask you not to let what I shall tell you be known to the student-body , but you fellows play with Thor every day , and you will understand the crisis , and appreciate _ why _ it is done , if I decide it necessary to drop John Thorwald from the football squad . ''