"Oh, don't quote Colonel Silsbee to me! If he doesn't want me to reprove his blockheads he's not obliged to keep me in commission. He might as well have left me in the ranks in the first place, so far as that is concerned."
"Bright, look here! I know what the trouble is; it's all about that matter of the appointments. You ought to have been captain of Company A,--I admit that freely; you deserved it on every account; but what's the use in giving up to disappointment? You have a good thing as it is. There isn't a more showy, responsible, soldierly position in the battalion than that of adjutant. And then there are only two of us who out-rank you, Brede and I; and as for me, you know I'd lay down my sword and shoulder-straps and go back into the ranks to-morrow if it could help you, or bring you to yourself again."
"Oh, yes, I know that. I don't care so much about your ranking me, Charley; that's all right. You're fitted to fill any position you get, and you deserve the best. It simply occurs to me that after a fellow has been here two years, and has stood at the head of the school in study-marks, and has behaved himself reasonably well, he shouldn't be insulted by having such an egotistical fool as Brede is placed over him in rank."
"Well, Brede can't really help being stuck up and silly; it's in him. But he makes a good officer in many respects; he doesn't get easily embarrassed, has plenty of self-esteem--"
"Oh, yes, lots of it; struts around in his shoulder-straps as though he owned the school; is constantly showing his infinite superiority over everybody in general and me in particular. It's a good thing I'm on the staff and not under his immediate command. I wouldn't stand his insolence for an hour. I detest the fellow,--absolutely detest him!"
"Well, I'll admit that he's not a lovable character; but Colonel Silsbee had some good reason for making him the ranking cadet-officer, you may be sure, and it's our duty as soldiers to accept the situation and make the best of it."
"Good reason, did you say? Good reason! Harple, I'll tell you why Brede is captain and I'm only lieutenant; it's because his father is a general in the army and worth a hundred thousand dollars, and my mother has to stint herself in order to pay for my schooling. Now, that's what hurts me; it's the rank injustice of it!"