“Yes. He said that there must have been some mistake. He had not sent for me.”
“Then, of course, it was all fixed up to get you in trouble.”
“But when I came back to the building I found somebody had sent for me, the commandant, of course—and they must have been pretty swift, by the way, to get word to him so soon!”
“I suppose it is against rules for the boys to have cigarettes.”
“I should say so! I’m going to find out who put those in my room if it takes me to my dying day.”
“Didn’t you tell the commandant about it?”
“I tried to, and got reprimanded for it, and told to take my punishment like a man. That was the first time I ever was mad at the commandant, and I’m going to see that he does know about it some day. But he was fair about tonight. I was to work out part of my punishment and miss the first part of the evening, as you know, but they needed me in the drills, and then the old boy said that he did not also want to punish the young lady I had invited, and I might take her out to supper. What more is hanging over my head I don’t know. You heard the list read out. I was due for a higher appointment, but of course could not have it now—am a measly corporal still.”
Betty laughed at that. “I don’t believe that they will do anything very awful. But I would explain things to the commandant, or to Captain Van Horne, anyway.”
“It is going to be easier to explain than to prove what I say. But now you must forget all about it, and if I am forgiven I shall put it out of my mind the rest of the evening, too. What has been going on over at Greycliff? Are you going to skate this winter?”
“Oh, yes, I always skate; but I think that the great sport this winter is going to be the skiing, by the way the girls are talking now. But there is much on hand before that time comes.”