"Dismiss the companies when ready." "Dismiss the companies!" came from the cadet battalion commander.
The separate commands of the various company commanders rang out.
Ranks were broken---and friends in gray crowded about the yearling.
Then the corps yell was called for and given, with his name added.
Some of the cadets slipped in through the sally-port, sooner than join in the demonstration.
"Thank you all---it's jolly good of you!" cried Prescott huskily.
As soon as these comrades in arms would let him, he broke through and made for his room.
"Hooray!" yelled Greg, turning loose.
And Cadet Anstey thrust his head into the room long enough to add: "Hooray!" But Dick, half stripped above the waist, was at the washstand, making a thorough toilet, though a hurried one.
Greg waited, his eyes shining.
"It's mighty good of you all," cried Dick, as he was pulling on his cadet overcoat.

"I wish I could stop and talk about it---but there a duties that can't be hurried fast enough." "Give my regards," called Holmes jovially after Prescott.
Crossing the barracks area, Dick strode into cadet guard-house, nimbly mounting the stairs to the second floor.

Here he stood in the office of the O.C.
Saluting, he carefully phrased his request for leave to visit friends at the hotel.
This being granted, Dick went down the stairs at the greatest speed consistent with military dignity under the circumstances.
Out through the north sally-port and along the road running between officers' quarters and parade ground he hurried.
By the time he had walked to the hotel he had cooled off his first excitement somewhat.
He signed in the cadet register, then laid down his card.
"To Mrs.Prescott, please." As ebony-visaged "front" vanished from the office, Dick turned and walked to the ladies' entrance, passing thence into the parlor.
Dick's mother was found at the dining table.

So were her Gridley friends.

All were finishing a light meal without appetite when the card was laid by Mrs.Prescott's plate.
"My boy, Dick---here ?" she cried brokenly rising as quickly as she could.
Mrs.Prescott passed quickly from the dining room, though her friends were close at her heels.