CHAPTER 193

"Don't be so modest, Mike. Who is better qualified to be our class leader?" Luther chimed in. The rest of the students just sat there quietly and watched the show that the three of them were putting on. But they didn't want to seem ungrateful. So they were willing to go along with the idea of electing Mike to the position.

"Since no one has any objections, then how could I decline? But let's just call it a temporary position. If anyone feels that I'm not carrying my weight, just say so." Mike declared as he raised his glass to toast his classmates.

Professor Murdock stayed out of the discussion. And quietly observed her students as they drank their wine and socialized with each other. Meanwhile, Penny just sat quietly by the window nursing her glass to mute. Her classmates were too intimidated by her to go up and talk to her.

While this was going on, Mike took Lionel aside and asked him to go down to his car and bring back a red gift box that he'd left in the trunk. Lionel came back a