After glancing about him a moment in speechless fury, he seized his hat, and left the room in indignant haste, slamming the door after him.
"He's a mean fellow!" said Frank Ingalls.

"I suppose he expected to be captain." "Shouldn't wonder," said Sam Rivers.

"Anyhow, he's a fool to make such a fuss about it.

As for me," he added, with a mirthful glance, "I am just as much disappointed as he is.

When I came here this afternoon I expected I should be elected captain, and I'd got my speech all ready, but now I'm sorry that it will have to be wasted." There was a general burst of laughter, for Sam Rivers, whom everybody liked for his good nature, was incorrigibly awkward, and had made a larger number of blunders, probably, than any other member of the company.
"Give us the speech, Sam," said Bob Ingalls.
"Yes, don't let it be wasted." "Speech! speech!" cried Joseph Barry.
"Very well, gentlemen, if you desire it." Sam drew from his pocket a blank piece of paper, and pretended to read the following speech, which he made up on the spur of the moment.
"Ahem! gentlemen," he commenced, in a pompous tone, assuming an air of importance; "I am deeply indebted to you for this very unexpected honor." "Oh, very," said one of the boys near.
"I feel that you have done yourself credit in your selection." Here there was a round of applause.
"I am sorry that some of you are still very awkward, but I hope under my excellent discipline to make veterans of you in less than no time." "Good for you!" "You cannot expect me to remain long with you, as I am now in the line of promotion, and don't mean to stop short of a brigadier.