Neither boy rose much before noon the day following.
Dick and Dave remained enrolled at High School until the Christmas Holidays, then dropped out, having ended the term.
Each boy had other studies with which he wished to busy himself---studies that would have a direct bearing on the stiff entrance examinations at West Point and Annapolis.

The rest of their time, until they reported at their respective National Academies, they intended to devote to these other studies to make doubly sure of their success.
Dick's notification from the Secretary of War arrived on Christmas morning.
"The grandest Christmas present.

I ever had!" muttered Dick, gazing at the single sheet, the words on which were couched in stiff official language.
Dave Darrin fumed a good deal, for it was nearly a month later before he received his notification from the Secretary of the Navy.

It came at last, however, and Darrin knew what postponed happiness means..