Yes, it was all over; and Ralph thought bitterly of how he had finally reached the summit of his ambition, to lead his class, only to be completely overthrown and have all of his hopes wrecked. “This is the day the midshipmen get out of the wilderness,” he thought sadly, “but I never expected to get out in this way.”
After breakfast his classmates crowded around him and expressed their sympathy, and many others of all classes came to him with kind words; for Ralph’s frank, kindly nature had made countless friends for him and they left him saying, “Poor Osborn, it’s such hard luck; he’s such a fine fellow,” and like expressions.
The preparations for the great day went busily and merrily on, and Ralph was forgotten for the time. But not by all, for three classmates, Himski, Bollup and Streeter, remained with him, and he felt their warm sympathy. They said but little; their hearts were too full for ordinary talk, but with saddened, deadened spirits, they helped Ralph pack his trunk and get his effects ready to be sent out. Finally they had to leave to put on their full dress uniforms for the graduating ceremonies, and Ralph was left alone. He was dressed in civilian clothes and was looking at his unfamiliar appearance in the mirror when he heard his door thrown open and a voice say: “This is Mr. Osborn’s room, sir.”
He turned around and saw the white gloved officer of the day usher into his room a gentleman of perhaps fifty years old, gray in beard, red in face, with bushy hair inclined to curl, and kindly blue eyes.
“Why, Captain Waddell!” he cried, at once recognizing his visitor.
“Ralph, my dear boy,” said the captain, “I only received your letter yesterday and I took the midnight train last night.” And he shook hands warmly with the young man.
“Why, captain, did you come down to see me, to help me in my trouble?”
“Indeed I did, Ralph, but I don’t like the looks of your civilian clothes; what does it mean?”
Ralph silently handed the captain the acting secretary’s order dismissing him, and the court martial order of his trial.
“Bad, bad,” ejaculated the captain; “how did you happen to do it, Ralph?”