“One more, sir,” spoke up Bob.  “Benson, sir, in the stores.”

“Benson has proven to be mightily useful,” said the major.

“All right,” concluded the colonel.  “Come on, Phelps.  We must look over the ground for those new hangars.  You can tell me what you find about these Brighton boys when you have finished your inquiries.”  They walked away together, leaving seven of the proudest and happiest boys in the world.

“Give a hand to get this wreck into the shed,” said Parks.  “You fellows are all right now.  The old man knows well enough you boys have been doing well.  That is just his way.  You had better find out what your folks are going to say.”

Each of the boys felt confident that the news would be well received at home.  They fell to with a will and soon had the biplane moved into the shed.  That night they went home in high spirits.  They were boys no longer; they had become men.  They pictured themselves in real service uniforms, and longed for the day when, as Major Phelps had said, they would “get to France.”

Harry Corwin and Joe Little lingered for a moment at the gate of the Hill home for a final word with Jimmy, who was very much excited.  “It all came out of your smash, Joe,” said Harry.  “The colonel might not have thought of us for a long time yet but for that.  You could not have done it better if you had planned it.”

Joe had gotten over the worst of his chagrin.  He smiled.  “I am glad it has taken the minds of you fellows off of my smash, anyway,” he said.

Each family into which that news came that evening took it differently.  None of the parents of the Brighton lads who heard of the colonel’s promise were quite prepared for it.  All thought the boys might be taken in some day, but it had seemed a long way off.  Bob Haines’ uncle was very proud of Bob, and telegraphed Senator Haines that Bob was going into the army as a matter of information rather than a request for permission.

Mrs. Mann was anything but glad to hear Dicky’s “good news.”  She was a timid little woman, with a horror of all fighting.  Mr. Mann took Dicky by the hand, however, and said, “God bless you, son,” in a way that made Dicky feel closer to his father than he had ever been before.  Jimmy Hill’s mother was away from home.

Mr. Hill took the information as a matter of course.  “I thought they would take you in one of these days,” he remarked.  “You boys ought to prove a credit to us all.  I would give a lot to be as young as you are and have your chance, Jimmy.  You will have to represent the family, though, I guess.  They won’t take men of my age, at least yet.”  Jimmy made up his mind then and there that he would represent his father, of whom he was intensely proud and very fond, and represent him to the very best of his ability.