“They haven’t asked me about it,” and now Pepper Ditmore began to grin.
“Then let me congratulate you on your escape,” and Jack Ruddy smiled broadly.
“Let’s change the subject, Jack. Don’t you want to be an officer of the Putnam Hall Cadet Corps? I should think that would just suit you. Your father was an army officer.”
“It would suit me first-rate. But the fellows don’t know much about me. Most of them are strangers to me.”
“Well, they are mostly strangers to each other. If you want to become an officer, say the word and I’ll do the electioneering for you.”
“Don’t you want to be an officer yourself?”
At this question Pepper Ditmore gave a merry laugh.
“I’d make a fine-looking officer, wouldn’t I?” he returned. “No, I’ll remain a high private in the rear rank—and take my sport in some other way.”
“And you expect me to be an officer over you, Pep? How in the world will I manage you?”
“By not trying, Jack. But come, are you going to be an officer or not? As a battalion, we are to have a major, two captains, two first lieutenants, two second lieutenants, and a lot of sergeants and corporals. I want to see you a captain at least.”