"It was all done by the members of the first class alone." "Well, then, you must say something very disagreeable about the first class at the Military Academy." "But why ?" persisted Dave Darrin.

He was disgusted enough over the action of the first class cadets, but, being in the service himself, he felt it indelicate in him to criticise the action of the cadets of the United States Military Academy.
"Why ?" repeated Belle.

"Why, simply because Laura Bentley will insist on asking me when I get home what you had to say about Dick's case.

If I can't tell Laura that you said something pretty nearly awful, then Laura will be terribly hurt." "Shall I swear ?" asked Dave innocently.
Belle opened her eyes wide in amazement.
"No, you won't swear," Belle retorted.

"Profanity isn't the accomplishment of a gentleman.