readily. "But wouldn't you rather wait a few days and see if we don't
obtain the right to wear _officers'_ uniforms?"

"That won't happen in ages," declared Hal's mother warmly. "Every one
over in Washington is sound asleep during these hot days. Mrs. Terry and
I will have to wait until winter if we must wait to see you both put on
lieutenants' uniforms."

"I'm horribly afraid that my mother will have to wait even longer than
that," sighed Noll.

Tr-r-r-r-rill! sounded a shrill whistle up the street.

"I wonder if he's coming here?" murmured Mrs. Overton nervously.

Tr-r-r-rill! "Overton!" sounded the postman's voice. "Oh--young
Overton!"

Hal fairly bounded out of the little parlor, through the short hallway,
and pulled the front door open.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Colton," was Hal's almost shaky greeting. Hal had
known this postman ever since the young soldier had been a boy in his
first trousers.

"Good afternoon, Hal," rejoined the postman. "One letter--for you. I'll
be back to ask you about it to-morrow morning."

Hal stood in the doorway, almost dazed. It was a long, official-looking
envelope that he held in his hand. Up in one corner he made out the
words, "War Department--Official Business."

Then, still clutching the envelope, Hal walked unsteadily back into the
little parlor.

"By George--he's _got_ it!" almost shouted Noll. "What's--what's the
real word, Hal?"

Noll was now standing on his feet, actually trembling.

Mrs. Overton fairly flew to her son.

"What is it, Hal? What's the answer?" she demanded, in a shaking voice
that was but little above a whisper.

"It's--it's addressed, 'Lieutenant Henry Overton, U. S. A.,'" replied
Hal, turning the envelope so that his mother might read. But a sudden
rush of mist to her eyes made the letters blur.

"Whoop!" let out Sergeant Noll. "Hal, you've won out!"

"Why don't you open the envelope?" asked Mrs. Overton tremulously.

"I'm afraid I'm almost too dizzy to think of anything," answered Hal in
a strained voice.

For answer his eager mother snatched the envelope from his hands, caught
up her sewing scissors from a table, and held the envelope up to the
light.

"Now, take out your letter, Hal, as quickly as you can, and let us know
what it says," commanded Mrs. Overton.

Hal withdrew the letter from the envelope. It was from the adjutant
general of the Army, stating that Hal had passed the examinations and
that the President had just appointe