Why does Professor Hundert confide in Charles Ellerby?

Hundert supports Charles Ellerby's candidacy because Hundert believes that Ellerby, whom

Hundert described earlier as a "kindred lover of antiquity" (p. 172), will support his efforts to

maintain the traditional curriculum at St. Benedict's. Ellerby's rival candidate "felt that, because

of the advances in our society, history had become little more than a relic" (p. 177). Hundert

opposes this view as "dim-sighted" and believes Ellerby shares this view (p. 177).