Dwell on the sense of honor which this fine
military discipline gives. Tell them what is meant by a parole, and what
it means to break a parole--which is just breaking your promise. I don't
care so much about the guns and swords just now--I mean as far as
to-morrow night is concerned. But I'd like these scouts to know that
there's something besides fighting to being a soldier--a real one. I'd
like them to know that a soldier's word can be trusted, his promise
depended on. If anything that has happened in my troop," he added
significantly, "has given them a wrong impression--you correct that
impression. See?"

"I'll try to."

"That's it. You know, Roscoe, most boys, and some scouts even, think
that a soldier is just a fellow who shoots and makes raids and storms
fortifications and all that. There's many a boy thinks he can be a
soldier by just running off to the war. But that's where he's got a
couple of more thinks coming, as Roy here would say. Uncle Sam wants
soldiers, but he doesn't want to be lied to and cheated----"

Roy winced.

"I want you to give them just a little off-hand, heart-to-heart talk
about the other end of it--how a 'soldier's wealth is honor,' as old
What's-his-name, the poet, says."

"I'll try to," said Roscoe.

"Then there's another thing. I'm off with the engineering corps myself
pretty soon. And my three patrols are going to feel pretty bad to see
me go, too. That so, Roy?"

"You bet it is," said Roy.

"Tell them they ought to be proud to see me go. They'll listen to you,
because you're a regular A-One, all-around soldier, you're nearer to
their own age, and you're an outsider. Tell them how tickled you were to
get your name down on that little old roll of honor----"

Roscoe rose suddenly.

"Don't--please don't," said he.

"What's the matter?" Mr. Ellsworth asked.

"Nothing--only--I have to go home now. I--I understand, and I'll do
it--I'll--I'm not much on speechmaking, but I know what you mean,
and----"

"That's right, you get the idea," Mr. Ellsworth exclaimed, rising and
slapping him on the shoulder. "I won't keep you any later, for I know
they're waiting for you around in Rockwood Place."

"I'll only have this one night at home," said Roscoe.

"And I'll bet they're proud of you round there, too," Mr. Ellsworth
added, as he followed them into the front hall. "I've got three full
patrols--that is, two, I mean; and Connie Bennett expects to dig up
another boy for us. Roy r