"There goes the first call for dinner formation," cried Holmes, wheeling and beginning his hasty preparations.
"That's better," laughed Dick, as he shoved his resignation into the drawer of the table.
Then Dick, too, made his hurried preparations. Second call found them ready to watch the forming of A company. At the command Dick gave his own company order:
"Fours right! Forward—-march!"
Away went A company, at the head of the corps, the whole long line giving forth the rhythmic sound of marching feet.
No outsider could have guessed that the young senior cadet captain was utterly discredited by the majority of his class, and that he was about to drop hopelessly out of this stirring life.
On the return from dinner Dick went at once to his room.
"What are you going to do?" demanded Greg impatiently, as Prescott seated himself at the study table.
"I am going to address an envelope to hold the sheet of paper of which you so much disapprove."
Greg knew it was useless to expostulate. Instead, he hurried out, found Anstey, and called the Virginian so that both could stand in the place where they would be sure to see Prescott if he attempted to come out.