“Look here, Himski,” said Ralph after a pause, “I’ll be reported to-morrow; now if Bollup knows I’m being punished for helping him he will immediately report himself to try to have my punishment lightened. He’ll do that regardless of what it might mean to himself; he’s just that kind of a fellow. Now he doesn’t know what’s happened, no one else does; suppose we keep this matter entirely to ourselves; if he should find out why I’m reported our good work will all go for naught. Let’s keep mum.”
“You’re right, Os. Poor old Bollup! I hope he’ll take a brace; he’ll be full of remorse to-morrow.”
The next day Bollup had an aching head and an ashamed soul. He had no recollection of what had happened after eight o’clock of the night before. He was then engaging in a mad, reckless frolic with his friends in their private car. After that things were mixed up and confused, and his mind was entirely bewildered as to just what had happened. It seemed to him he had taken a rapid journey, that he had been on the water, and that his two best friends had been with him. He had not the faintest recollection of how he had got to his bed, and as his roommate Streeter was in sick quarters, he had no one to tell him.
The next morning Himski and Ralph greeted him naturally as if nothing had happened. It was on Bollup’s tongue to ask some questions but he didn’t know what to ask, and was so full of genuine heartfelt remorse that he hated to bring the subject up; and so he made no inquiries, and for many months was in ignorance of just what had been done for him.
CHAPTER XXIV
Ralph has a Joke Played on Him by a Candidate
The next day was Sunday, one of those beautiful early spring days for which Annapolis is justly noted. The trees were coming into full bud, and soft, balmy airs made one regret there were rules and regulations to be governed by, when one’s heart longed for the fresh woods. As usual this Sunday morning was a busy one for Ralph. After breakfast he had to prepare his room for the commandant’s inspection, and later came that officer’s inspection of all midshipmen in battalion formation. And when this had finished the battalion marched to chapel. It must be admitted that on this morning Ralph Osborn paid but little heed to the beloved chaplain’s words, or to the singing or prayers. He was uneasy in mind and feared the scene he knew he had soon to face in the commandant’s office.
Directly after the service had finished and the midshipmen were dismissed, Ralph was ordered to report to the commandant’s office.
“Mr. Osborn,” said the commandant, “I have received a report against you for leaving academic limits without permission. Is this report correct, sir?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Ralph.