in camp today, sir," Dick went on, very respectfully. "I found
myself ignorant, as were some of the others, as to the correct
answer to the question. As you are the officer in charge of the
encampment, I have made bold, sir, to ask you the answer."

"Is it a matter relating directly to military tactics or discipline,
Mr. Prescott?" asked Captain Bates, speaking as coldly as before.

"Indirectly, sir, I think."

"Then state the question, Mr. Prescott."

Greg, having reached the path, halted at attention several yards
away from his bunkie.

"The question that came up, sir," continued Dick, and he was speaking
the truth, for the question had been discussed, "is whether there
is any regulation, or any tacit rule that requires a cadet of
the upper classes to attend any stated number of hops in the season,
or during the year?

"No cadet, Mr. Prescott, is required to attend any hop unless
he so elects. The single exception would be that any cadet, having
once made an engagement to attend a hop, would be bound by his
word to attend, unless he had received proper release from that
engagement. Such release, in nearly all instances, would come
from the young woman whom the cadet had invited to attend a hop
with him."

"Thank you, sir." Again Dick saluted very respectfully.