"Watch, out, chum. It's a grave matter, as you well enough know, for an officer to overlook a soldier's salute."
Three more soldiers passed them, but Noll was looking now, and fully alert to bring his own hand up to his cap.
Then the chums turned and ascended the steps to the club. Neither had ever before entered an officers' club, save on some errand of duty.
Major Tipton was waiting for them inside. There were two other officers present—First Lieutenants Johnson and Sears.
"Mr. Johnson is first lieutenant of F company, your company, Mr. Terry," stated the major. "Mr. Sears is first lieutenant of your company, H, Mr. Overton. These gentlemen, after luncheon, will take you to your respective captains and present you."
Soon there were sounds of others entering the hallway. Then a voice was heard, declaring firmly:
"You may think me a grind, but I have little sympathy with either officers or men who think too much of pleasure. The first duty of any soldier, from general down to rookie——"
Now three more officers stepped into the room.
"——is duty, and it should always be spelled with a capital 'D,'" finished the speaker earnestly.
Noll got a glimpse of that speaker. It startled him so that he drew back, muttering: