“I feel pretty sure there will be,” nodded Dick cheerily.  “And you girls may be sure of my keeping my promise.”

“And I’ll keep mine for the very first hop that comes off at Annapolis after I get there,” Darrin assured them.

The laugh was on both young men, though neither they nor their fair young companions knew it.

The poor “plebe,” as the first year’s man at either West Point or Annapolis is known, would be in for a terrible experience at the hands of his comrades if, during his “plebe” year, he had the “cheek” to seek to attend a cadet hop.  He must wait until he has entered his second year before he has that privilege.

This is a wise regulation.  In his first year the poor “plebe” has so bewilderingly much to learn that he simply couldn’t spare any time for the cultivation of the graces of the ballroom.  In his first year, he has dancing lessons, but that is all that comes his way.

Greg Holmes came to Prescott with a wistful, rather sad face.

“How are you coming on, Dick?” Greg asked.

“Meaning what?”

“Are you going to be well prepared for the examinations?”

“As far as being able to pass with a decent percentage,” Dick answered, “I am not all uneasy.  All that worries me is the fear that some other fellow may have a slightly better percentage.  That would ditch me, you know.”

“Oh, you’ll win out,” predicted Greg loyally.  “And I just wish I had a chance like yours!”

“Why don’t you go in and try for it, then?” urged Dick generously.

“No use,” uttered Greg, shaking his head.  “You can beat me on the scholastic examination, and I know it, Dick.  The best I could hope for would be an appointment as your alternate.  And your alternate to West Point isn’t going to stand any show for a cadetship, Dick Prescott!”

Besides the candidate each Congressman may appoint one or more “alternates.”  These alternates also report at West Point.  If the “principal” fails there, the alternate is given a chance to make good for the cadetship.

But Greg Holmes, though he was wildly anxious to go to West Point, felt certain that it would be useless to go there as Dick Prescott’s alternate.

“I hate to see you not try at all, Greg,” declared Dick.  “Why don’t you try?  If you beat me out there won’t be any hard feelings.”

“I couldn’t beat you out, and I don’t want to, either,” responded Greg.  “But wait!  I may have something to tell you later on.”

Dan Dalzell had much the same kind of a talk with Dave Darrin.  Dan felt the call to the sailor’s life, but hadn’t any notion that he could slip in ahead of Darrin.

“Even if I could, Dave, I wouldn’t try it,” declared Dan earnestly.  “I want badly enough to go to Annapolis, and I admit it.  But I believe you’re just about crazy to get there.”

“I am,” Dave admitted honestly.  “But the prize goes to the best fellow, Dan.  Jump in, old fellow, and have your try at it.”