"Now, take out your letter, Hal, as quickly as you can, and let us know what it says," commanded Mrs. Overton.
Hal withdrew the letter from the envelope. It was from the adjutant general of the Army, stating that Hal had passed the examinations and that the President had just appointed him, ad interim, a second lieutenant of infantry in the United States Army.
"Now, what's the meaning of that awful 'ad interim'?" demanded Mrs. Overton.
"Why, you see, Mother, Congress isn't in session just now——"
"I don't see what that has to do with——"
"Why, Mother, officers are appointed by the President, and——"
"And it's none of Congress's business!"
"All appointments to commissions in the Army and Navy, Mother, are made by the President, subject to the approval of the Senate——"
"I just knew there was some string to it all," cried Mrs. Overton.
"As a matter of form the Senate has to approve. But the Senate rarely ever refuses to confirm the President's full list of appointments for the Army and Navy."