“Perry, I must go and telegraph to my mother, as she fears I am ill, so open those other two packages for me, please.”
Then Mark hastened out of the room, obtained leave, and sent the following dispatch:
“Letter received with money. Many thanks for your kindness. Am in perfect health. Stood Number One in my class. Regards to Peggy. With love.
“Mark.”
CHAPTER XXXV.
THE MIDSHIPMAN’S REVERIE.
Having telegraphed his mother as requested, Mark Merrill made his way back to the academy.
If he had sought for an opportunity to show his popularity it could not have come to him any better, for at the telegraph office the operator who read his message said, pleasantly:
“Permit me to congratulate you, Mr. Merrill, upon your success.”
The sergeant, at the entrance to the academy grounds also had a polite and pleasant congratulation for him, as did several of the officer’s wives whom he met, while a group of cadets, as he went by, gave him a salute and a hurrah.