"My own will, sir."
"Good again," said his friend. "And how is that will to be kept to its duty?"
"Mother says I'm self-willed enough for anything," said Magnus.
"Truly. But self-will and will-power are very different forces, and often come in sharp collision. Misguided steam is quite likely to blow up the whole concern."
"Well, sir, what can I do with my will but use it?" said the boy with some quickness.
"You can abuse it quite easily," said Mr. Wayne. "Turn it on the wrong things, fire it up in the wrong place. A soldier needs to have the 'governor' of his own private engine in excellent working order."
"I'm not a soldier yet," said Magnus, laughing, "and shall not be for four years."
"You will be one, to all intents, as soon as you are admitted at West Point. From that moment you are counted in the service of the United States, and under her orders. Bound to do her bidding, whether you like it or not, whether you understand it or not."
"Even if someone has blundered?" said Magnus with a half laugh.
"Even if someone has blundered. With that question you have nothing to do. Men will blunder now and then, at West Point as elsewhere, but that is no concern of yours. Uncle Sam's orders are to be obeyed, and neither the quality nor the quantity of them affects the thing in the least."