uck. But my
time's up. Good-by," and Cleary hurried away.

Sam Jinks left the hospital just one week after his admission. He might
have stayed a day or two longer, but he insisted that he was well
enough and prevailed upon the doctor to let him go. He set to work at
once with great energy to make up for lost time and to learn all that
had been taught in the week in the way of drilling. The morning after
his release, when guard-mounting was over, Cleary told him that Cadet
Smith wished to speak to him, and Sam went at once to report to him.

"Jinks," said Smith, when Sam had approached and saluted, "I am going
down that path there to the right. Wait till I am out of sight and then
follow me down. I don't want any one to see us together."

"All right, sir," said Sam.

When Smith had duly disappeared, Sam followed him and found him
awaiting him in a secluded spot by the river. Sam saluted again as he
came up to him.

"I suppose you understand, Jinks, that none of us upper-class men can
afford to be seen talking to you fourth-class beasts?"

"Yes, sir."

"Of course, it wouldn't do. Don't look at me that way, Jinks. When an
upper-class man is polite enough to speak to you, you should look down,
and not into his face."

Sam dropped his eyes.

"Now, Jinks, I wanted to tell you that you've been assigned to me to do
such work as I want done. I'm going to treat you well, because you seem
to be a pretty decent fellow for a beast."

"Thank you, sir," said Sam.

"Yes, you seem disposed to behave as you should, and I don't want to
have any trouble with you. All you'll have to do is to see that my
boots are blacked every night, keep my shirts and clothes in order,
take my things to the wash, clean out my tent, and be somewhere near
so that you can come when I call you; do you understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Oh, then, of course, you must make my bed, and bring water for me, and
keep my equipments clean. If there's anything else, I'll tell you. If
you don't do everything I tell you, I'll report it to the class
committee and you'll have to fight, do you understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"That will do, Jinks; you may go."

"I beg your pardon, sir. May I ask you a question?"

"What?" shouted Smith. "Do you mean to speak to me without being
spoken to?"

"I know it's very wrong, sir," said Sam, "but there's something I want
very much, and I don't know how else to get it."

"Well, I'l