"You're going around to Noll's?"
"Yes. We made a request that we be assigned to the same battalion. I'm mighty anxious to know whether it has been convenient to grant our wish."
"Does Mr. Ad Interim have anything to with that?" demanded Mrs. Overton.
"I believe not," laughed Hal, then vanished through the doorway.
"Strange to me what complete fascination there can be about the Army," mused Mrs. Overton. "That boy of mine, now that he's ordered to join his regiment again, is wholly and unreasonably happy."
Noll had received his orders just before Hal arrived. Lieutenant Terry was also ordered to Fort Butler.
"There isn't a thing left that we can ask for!" exclaimed Hal contentedly.
"I hope we'll have as good luck with each step upward," beamed young Terry.
"There may come a time in our upward progress when we can't serve in the same regiment," warned Hal. "That will be when we become lieutenant-colonels. The present law allows but one lieutenant-colonel to a regiment, you know."
"Oh, as far as that's concerned, cheer up, chum," grinned Lieutenant Noll. "Before we get anywhere near as high as lieutenant-colonel we may each be occupying a two-by-six in a soldiers' cemetery."