There were a large number of vacant places at dinner. Cadet Sabbatello looked down the long table. "I see there have been some casualties," he remarked. "Congratulations, gentlemen, for having survived thus far."
"Sir-does that mean we've passed all the tests we took today?" one of the candidates asked.
"Or at least won a retest. You haven't flunked." Matt sighed with relief. "Don't get your hopes up. There will be still fewer of you here tomorrow."
"Does it get worse?" the candidate went on.
Sabbatello grinned wickedly. "Much worse. I advise you all to eat little at breakfast. However," he went on, "I have good news, too. It is rumored that the Commandant himself is coming down to Terra to honor you "with his presence when you are sworn in-if you are sworn in."
Most of those present looked blank. The cadet glanced around. "Come, come, gentlemen!" he said sharply. "Surely not all of you are that ignorant. You!" He addressed Matt. "Mister, uh-Dodson. You seem to have some glimmering of what I am talking about. Why should you feel honored at the presence of the Commandant?"
Matt gulped. "Do you mean the Commandant of the Academy, sir?"
"Naturally. What do you know about him?"
"Well, sir, he's Commodore Arkwright." Matt stopped, as if the name were explanation.
"And what distinguishes Commodore Arkwright?"