If you are sure, however, that you do not find me intrusive, and if you would like to talk this matter over---not as officer and cadet, but as between a young man and a somewhat older one, and as friends above all, then I am going to ask you a few questions." "Although I am certain that you cannot help me, Mr.Denton, I am very grateful for every sign of interest that you may show in me.

It is something of balm to me to feel that I shall leave behind some who will regret my going." "Prescott," asked the officer abruptly, "you have been sent to Coventry, haven't you?
You needn't answer unless you wish." "I have, sir," Dick assented.
"Twice it has happened, when I have been on duty, that you have had to report classmates to me.

Now, I'm not going to step over the line by asking you whether those reports were the basis of your being sent to Coventry.

But, to please myself, I'm going to assume that such is the case." To this Dick made no reply.

It was an instance in which a cadet could not, with propriety, discuss class action with an officer on duty at the Military Academy.
"Now, Prescott, I'm not going to ask you whether my surmise is a correct one, but I'm going to ask you another question, as a friend only, and in no official way.