CHAPTER XIX
THE MARKSMAN MEDAL
Toots' advance along the corridor leading to Dick's room was announced by his rendering of the tune "The Star Spangled Banner," which he ended with a spirited bugle call.
"Did you send for me, Mr. Hamilton?" he asked as he came in.
"I did, Toots," said Dick. "I thought maybe you would like to have dinner with me here. I'm lonesome, and I suppose you are, too."
"Bless your heart, not exactly lonesome, Mr. Hamilton, but I'm glad to come just the same. You see I'm too busy to be lonesome. I've got lots to do, cleaning up all the rooms against the cadets coming back in a couple of weeks."
"Then maybe you haven't time to spend an hour or so here."
"Oh, I reckon I have. But it's agin the regulations for me to eat here. I'm supposed to eat with the other servants."
"We'll make our own regulations for the time being," said Dick. "Here comes Mrs. Fitzpatrick with the grub. I hope you're hungry, for I'm not particularly."
"Well, I can eat a bit," admitted Toots. "I say, though, that is a spread!" he exclaimed, as he saw the good things the housekeeper was bringing into Dick's room, where she set them on a table.
"Well, it's Christmas," observed Dick, "though I can't eat much myself. However, it'll do me good to see you put it away."