g Corps than anywhere else. I don't
mean by that that we want to pick our jobs, sir, but we would like
to get into the air service for choice."

"And a very good choice too," commented Colonel Marker. "Major
Phelps, suppose you look into the individual work that each of these
boys has been doing lately, and see if those under whom they have
worked recommend them all. Is this the lot of them?"

"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 figh