"That sounds hard," said Magnus.
"It is hard."
"And rather impossible to carry out, I should say," remarked Magnus with a boy's air of competent criticism.
"Nothing is impossible which ought to be done," said Mr. Wayne. "If the authorities at West Point did not disapprove of decorations, I would have that written up over your door in gilt letters."
"Disapprove!" Magnus repeated.
"Disapprove. A soldier's life has small time and place but for the absolute needs-be."
"Did you ever go through West Point, sir?" said Magnus with a wondering look at his new-found friend.
"No indeed. But I have been through Chattanooga, and Fair Oaks, and a few other places, and so I know what all this play-soldiering may come to."
Magnus stopped short and gazed at him.
"Chattanooga! Fair Oaks! You have been there?" he said.