But Captain Goodwin had impressed upon him that good spirits would have a lot to do with his chances.

So strong was his will that Prescott was actually almost light-hearted when it came around time to eat his evening meal of "thin slops." Over in cadet barracks interest ran at full height.

Greg had to receive scores of cadets who dropped in to inquire for the best word.
One of the last of these to come was Cadet Haynes.
Greg received him rather frigidly, though with no open breach of courtesy.
"It's too bad," began Haynes.
"Of course it is," nodded Holmes.
"Prescott has very little chance of remaining in the corps, I suppose ?" "The surgeons don't quite say that," rejoined Greg.
"Oh, the rainmakers (doctors) are always cagey about giving real information until a man's dead," declared the turnback sagely.
"They seem to believe that Prescott has an excellent chance," insisted Greg.
"No bones broken ?" "Not a one." "What is the trouble, then ?" "The rainmakers can't say exactly.

They're waiting and watching." "Humph! That sounds pretty bad for their patient." "They say that if Prescott is able to walk soon, then his return to duty ought to be rather speedy." "I'd like to believe the rainmakers," grunted Haynes.
"Would you ?" inquired Greg very coolly.
"Of course." "What is your particular interest in my roommate ?" demanded Cadet Holmes.
He looked straight into the other's eyes.

"Why, Prescott is one of the best and most popular fellows in the class.