“That would be fine, Ruth,” and Jack’s face showed his satisfaction.
It was a rather sober group of cadets that returned to Colby Hall. The Rovers had very little to say.
“It’s a confounded shame!” was the way Gif expressed himself. “Why should the authorities let such a man out of prison? He ought to serve every day of his sentence.”
“That’s just the way I look at it,” returned Spouter. “What is the use of building prisons and having them finely equipped if they are not to be used? The whole trouble lies with those soft-hearted individuals in every community who think prisoners ought to be treated with every sort of consideration. Just look at some of them—carrying fruit and flowers to murderers, and weeping over people found guilty of kidnaping, and all that sort of mush! Now, if I were in authority, I’d give every man who was guilty of a crime to understand that he must serve his sentence to the last minute. And I’d give the public to understand that——”
“Say, Spouter, are you only talking or are you delivering a lecture?” broke in Randy.
“Well, it makes me mad!” went on the cadet who loved to talk. “Don’t you agree with what I’ve said?”
“I certainly do,” answered Jack. “There is altogether too much soft-heartedness about this criminal business.”
The final parade at Colby Hall was a formal affair and attended by many people from Haven Point and other places. Every uniform was brushed and pressed and every rifle and sword polished to the last degree. As a consequence the three companies composing the school battalion presented a well-nigh perfect appearance when inspected by Colonel Colby and Captain Dale.
“I must congratulate you on the fine showing you have made,” said the master of the Hall, in addressing the cadets. “I am proud of you. You have done very well.”
“Three cheers for Colonel Colby!” called out Jack, and the cheers were given with a will. Then came another cheer for Captain Dale and the other instructors.