"This is my resignation, sir, from the corps of cadets."
Lieutenant Denton looked utterly nonplussed.
"Oh, very good, Mr. Prescott. If you are bent on leaving the
Military Academy, I presume I have no right to demand your reasons.
But—-won't you sit down?"
The lieutenant pointed to a chair near his own.
"Thank you, sir," nodded Prescott. Taking off his fatigue cap, he dropped into the chair, though he sat very erect.
"Now," smiled Mr. Denton, "perhaps we can drop, briefly, some of the relation between officer and cadet. We may be able to talk as friends—-real friends. I trust so. May I feel at liberty to ask you, Mr. Prescott, whether there are any urgent family reasons behind this sudden move of yours?"
"None, sir."
"Then is it—-but I don't wish to be intrusive."
"I certainly don't consider you intrusive, Mr. Denton, and I appreciate your sympathy and friendship. But I am resigning from the corps for the best of good reasons."
"May I question you, Mr. Prescott?"