more self-pride than that?"

"I'm heartily glad you've joined us here, Dodge," murmured Greg
artlessly. "You'll show us, by your own example, just how to stand
up for our rights."

"Humph! I hope you'll be able to learn," grunted Bert, rising as he
glanced at his watch.

Then he went on, a trace more amiably:

"I find I've got to go back to my room and prepare for supper.
Now, fellows, we haven't always gotten along in the best shape at
home. But here at West Point I suppose we all start life on somewhat
of a new footing. I'm willing to let by-gones be by-gones if you
don't presume altogether too much on coming from the same home
town. Keep your places with me, and we'll try to go along on a
somewhat pleasanter basis than in the past. Let us try to forget the
past. Ta-ta, fellows. See you at the supper table."

Bert stalked out loftily, with a considerable appreciation of his
condescension toward two fellows whom he had been wont, in
past years, to call muckers.

"Hold me!" begged Greg hoarsely. "I'm going to have a fit. Oh,
wow! Dick, just think of that poor b.j. lamb falling into the hands
of the yearlings! What'll they ever do with him?"

"Greg, it has been hard enough on us to get used to the new ways
at West Point. But we'll never mind anything during the rest of our