Geroldstone remained sulky, with an air of bravado; the other three young men were so downcast that all their companions were heartily sorry for them.

The hospital orderly marched back to the adjutant's office those who had been rejected, while another orderly appeared and led those who had passed the surgeons to the cadet barracks.
"This begins to look like the real thing," murmured Dick as they neared the barracks.
Now this group were taken to the room of the cadet officer of the day, Lieutenant Edwards.

Beside the cadet lieutenant's desk stood Cadet Corporal Brayton.
To the cadet officer of the day each of the candidates gave his name and home address, which were entered in a book.
"Brayton, take Prescott and Holmes to room number -- , will you ?" asked Mr.Edwards without looking up.
Dick and Greg followed their conductor outside and into another subdivision of barracks.

Mr.Brayton kept on until he had reached the top flight, where he threw open a door.
"Step in here, Mr.Prescott and Mr.Holmes," ordered the cadet corporal stiffly.

To the two new arrivals the corporal spoke as though he had conceived an intense dislike for these two boys.
Later, Dick and Greg discovered that it was merely the way in which all candidates were treated by the cadet officers.
"You'll draw your bedding and other things presently," said Brayton coldly.