"Down to Washington. Had a bit of a chat with the
President and gave him some of my views."

"About the war, I suppose?" laughed Ned.

"Yes."

"Did you get your commission?"

"Commission?" And there was a wondering look on Tom's
face.

"Yes. Mary Nestor said she thought maybe you were going to
Washington to take an examination for the engineering corps
or something like that. Did you get made an officer?"

"No," answered Tom slowly. "I went to Washington to get
exempted."

"Exempted?" Cried Ned, and his voice sounded strained.




Chapter VI

Seeing Things