"
"But you won't," urged Dick. "In these weeks you have had time
to reflect and turn sensible."
"Do you suppose I care to go on, old chum, if you don't?"
"Yes," answered Dick quietly. "And if the case were reversed,
and you were resigning, I should go on just the same and stick
in the service. Why, Greg, if we both went on into the Army,
and under the happiest conditions, we wouldn't be together, anyway.
You might be in one regiment, down in Florida, and I in another
out in the Philippines. When I was serving in Cuba, you'd be
in Alaska. Don't be foolish, Greg. I've got to leave, but there's
no earthly reason why you should. Your resigning would be mistaken
loyalty to me, and would cast no rebuke or regret over the cadet
corps or the Army. The fellows who are going to stick would simply
feel that one weak-kneed chap had dropped by the wayside. They'd
merely march on and forget you."
"There goes the first call for dinner formation," cried Holmes,
wheeling and beginning his hasty preparations.
"That's better," laughed Dick, as he shoved his resignation into
the drawer of the table.
Then Dick, too, made his hurried preparations. Second call found
them ready to watch the forming of A company. At the command
Dick gave his own company order:
"Fours right! Forward---march!"
Away went A company, at the head of the corps, the whole long line
giving forth the rhythmic sound of marching feet.
Pages:
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88