Ralph heard from Collins as follows:
“Dear Mr. Osborn:—
“I am so pleased to know you are recovering so nicely. I am indeed happy that I was able to do something for you. I have been rewarded far beyond my merits, have a medal of honor, and am rated chief water tender, and everybody has been so kind. I shall never forget you saved me from myself, that but for you I would be a criminal; I am so thankful I had the chance of showing my appreciation.
“With sincere regards,
“Respectfully yours,
“Henry Collins.”
A glow of warm feeling filled Ralph’s heart as he read this letter; it was indeed pleasing to believe he had been helpful to Collins, had influenced him to his own good; but that the direct result of his influence upon Collins should have saved his own life was a remarkable reward, for Ralph had no idea that he would ever have left that fire room alive had it not been for Collins.
The days in the hospital were long; September days came and Ralph, though mending rapidly, was still kept in bed; he grew very restive, thinking of his classmates enjoying their month’s vacation, and as he grew better daily he became impatient. Finally he was discharged from the hospital and was sent to Annapolis, arriving there September 28th; two days later the midshipmen were all back, and enthusiastic were the greetings Ralph received from his classmates and other midshipmen he knew, and it did seem so good to him to be once more with these friends.
Though Ralph was restored to health he was ordered to be excused from drills, and directed to take part in no violent physical exercise. This was a disappointment, as he intended to go into athletics, and the idea of trying for the football squad was very attractive to him.
Ralph plunged into his studies with great zest; he determined to do better in French and felt confident that hard work in mathematics would keep him high up in the class in that branch. The first term took up the study of conic sections, and Ralph reveled in these subjects, and at the end of October his class standing in this all-important department was number one. Himski was number two, Bollup number three and Creelton number four.