The General drummed on the table with his pen, and emitted great puffs of smoke. "Hm-m-m!" he said. "Hm-m-m! Not entirely successful, but a great blow at the South all the same. I'm proud of you men, Burns—mighty proud of you." He was silent for a moment, then: "I'm going to recommend you for a commission."
"Thank you, sir," gasped Tom.
"You've earned it. You can go up North for training, and join us again later—a Lieutenant. How'll you like that?"
"I'd like to have a commission, of course, but…."
"But what?"
"Why, you see, General, I'm nothing but a recruit, I've never even worn a uniform."
"What?" exclaimed the General. Tom told him how he had come to take part in the raid, how he had been sworn into the service just before his departure. "Well," said the General at last, "that really makes no difference. You're officer caliber, and that's enough."
"All the same, General, I think I'd like to go to my company, and get some experience. Company B is in the fight now, isn't it?"
"Experience!" exclaimed the General.
"Experience as a soldier, I mean," Tom replied.