"Mr. Blunt," commenced the commandant, "your father, mother and sister are to dine at my house to-day, and I want you to come too. Your father tells me he hasn't seen much of you of late; you are not on the first conduct grade, are you? If you are not I'll dispense with the regulation and grant you special permission to dine with an officer to-day."
Harry Blunt suddenly sat down on a chair behind him. He was momentarily speechless.
"Sit down, Mr. Blunt," smiled the commandant. Then Harry stood up.
"Wa-wa-was that all you wanted to see me for?" he stammered.
"Yes; we dine at half-past one."
"Thank you, captain; I'll be delighted to dine with you and be with my father. This is awfully kind of you, captain. Oh, thank you; yes, indeed, I'll be there—I don't believe I've ever called on you, captain, but—"
"Well, well, Mr. Blunt," interrupted the commandant, "what is the matter with you? At first when you came into my office you seemed to be bereft of speech, and all of a sudden you talk with such a rush that you can't stop yourself. Perhaps you thought I was going to talk about something else," and Commander Dalton glanced keenly at Harry.
"Be at my house by half-past one," repeated the commandant, dismissing Harry, and the latter left. He took several deep breaths when out of the commandant's office.
"By George," he said, almost aloud, in tones of great relief, "I feared I was up against it. I was never so scared in all my life."