West's views upon it.
Corner-stone laying afforded him a sincere joy. Even discussions with
parents about their young hopefuls was anything but irksome to his
buoyant nature.
Best and pleasantest of all was his relation with the students. His
notable gift for popularity, however futile it might be with embittered
asses like James E. Winter, served him in good stead here. West could
not conceal from himself that the boys idolized him. With secret delight
he saw them copying his walk, his taste in waistcoats, the way he
brushed back his hair. He had them in relays to his home to supper,
skipping only those of too hopeless an uncouthness, and sent them home
enchanted. He had introduced into the collegiate programme a five-minute
prayer, held every morning at nine, at which he made brief addresses on
some phase of college ideals every Tuesday and Friday. Attendance at
these gatherings was optional, but it kept up in the most gratifying
way, and sometimes on a Friday the little assembly-room would be quite
filled with the frankly admiring lads. "Why should I mind the little
annoyances," would flash into his mind as he rose to speak, "when I can
look down into a lot of fine, loyal young faces like this.
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