West Point Colors

by Anna Bartlett Warner

"I heard you were odd," was Renwick's comment.

"And now you think the half wasn't told you. Sound doctrine, nevertheless."

"But mathematics!" said the boy; "and natural philosophy! and Spanish!"

"Know them all through now, don't you?" said Magnus; "and so want no help."

"No, no, sir! of course not. But I mean—Mr. Kindred, do all the head men get to the top of the class your way?"

"Probably not."

"Then why do you lay it out for me?"

"Only sure way I know."

"To push me up head?"

"To put you somewhere where it's worth while for a man to stand," said Magnus. "You might come out head—and be a disgrace to the service. You might go down before French twistifications, get dropped—and live to bless the country some other way."