"But, at least, mister, you have learned how to answer a yearling or any other superior, haven't you!" "Yes, sir," Bert meekly assented.
"But there's one thing the poor beast doesn't know how to do yet," observed Mr.Judson, turning to his classmate.

"He doesn't understand how to stand at attention when he is honored by a yearling's visit." "Teach him--if you find that he's intelligent enough," advised Yearling Pratt.
"Turn down that mattress, mister," commanded Mr.Judson, pointing to Dick Prescott's iron cot.
Bert made the mistake of looking first at Cadet Prescott for permission.
"Now, mister, what makes you hesitate!" fumed Mr.Judson.
"It isn't my cot, sir," replied Dodge.
"What ?" "It, sir, is, sir, not, sir, my, sir, cot, sir." "That has nothing to do with your orders.

Turn down that mattress!" Bert obeyed with great alacrity.
"Now, then, mister," ordered Yearling Judson, "get up on that mattress, and stand at attention upside down!" It took Bert Dodge a few precious seconds to understand the full nature of the ignominious thing he had to do.
This was neither more nor less than to stand on his head on the mattress.

He could rest his hands beside his head, at the outset, bracing his feet against the wall.

So far it was not difficult.