"There's no need of me, sir," he replied. "The fellows will all play square."
"I hope so," said the master, thoughtfully. Then, knotting his forehead, he asked, "Who is next in rank after you? Monroe, is he not?"
"Yes, sir," put in the boy named, "I'm next in place."
"That's what I thought. Let me think. You were not born in Belgium, Monroe, were you?"
"No, sir," responded Horace, "I'm an American."
The master pondered a moment.
"You have no part, then, in this war," he said slowly.
Horace flushed at the implication.
"I gave my word of honor with the others, sir," he said. "You don't think, sir, that means any less to an American boy!"
The master nodded in satisfaction at the retort.