"Ritter will do his best to make out that it was all my fault." "Well, I can testify that Ritter hit you first, and Pepper and Brown can do so, too," answered Fred.
"Reff will get Coulter and Paxton to back him up." "But they weren't on hand when the quarrel started." "That is true--but they'll stick up for Reff, see if they don't." "I sincerely trust that Captain Putnam doesn't take away your majorship, Jack." "If he does that, I'll--well, never mind what I'll do." "If he did it to me, I'd feel like leaving." "I was going to say that.

But I'll not do anything hastily," answered the young major, and heaved a deep sigh.
"Want me to go along ?" "No, since Crabtree didn't ask any one.

But I wish you'd hang around, so I can call on you." "I'll go to the library." "All right--and take Brown, if he'll go." Jack washed up and brushed his uniform, and then made his way to Captain Putnam's private office.

He found that Reff Ritter had hurried and gotten ahead of him, and was telling his story, both to the head of the school and to the first assistant teacher.

Ritter's mouth, nose and one eye were swollen, and he looked anything but happy.
"You may remain in the hallway until I call you, Major Ruddy," said Captain Putnam, when Jack appeared, and the young major had to go outside, closing the door after him.
The telling of Reff Ritter's story took some time, and he was asked several questions by Captain Putnam and Josiah Crabtree.