"The better soldier you are, the better your chances are of remaining in the Army." "There won't be any need, will there, captain, to send word to my father and mother of this accident until it is better known how serious it is ?" coaxed Dick.
"If you wish the news withheld for the present, I will direct the adjutant to respect your wishes." "If you will be so good, sir," begged the hapless cadet.
Hospital men were summoned and Dick was skillfully, tenderly transferred to a cot in another room.

The steward stood by and took his orders silently from Captain Goodwin.
Hardly had this much been accomplished when a hospital service man entered, passing a card to Captain Goodwin.
"Admit him," nodded the surgeon.
In another minute Captain Albutt stepped into the room, going over to the cot and resting one of his hands over the cadet's right hand.
"How are you feeling ?" asked Captain Albutt.
"Fine, sir, thank you," replied Dick cheerily.
"I'm glad your pluck is up.

And I hear that you have a good chance." "I hope so, sir, with all my heart.

The Army means everything in life to me, sir.

And Captain Albutt, I want to thank you for your splendid conduct in risking your own life to save me." "Surely, Prescott," replied the captain quietly, "you know the spirit of the service better than to thank a soldier for doing his duty." Captain Albutt had called him simply "Prescott," dropping the "mister," which officers are usually so careful to prefix to a cadet's name when addressing him.