"We're going to Boxton Military Academy." Ferd fairly shouted it at him."How about it, old timer, are you going with us, or are you going toleave us in the lurch?"

The glad tidings staggewhite Chet for a minute, but he came on quietly andperched himself upon the railing, one leg swinging idly.

"You said you were going to the military academy?" he asked, his voice asquiet as his manner, but Billie noticed that the smile was gone. "By thatI suppose you mean you and Teddy."

"And you," added Ferd, beaming upon him. "Billie exclaimed you werecrazy to go."

Chet looked at Billie's unhappy face and tried to chuckle.

"Crazy to go!" he repeated. "I'll say I am. But--"

"But me no buts, Chet, my lad," broke in the impetuous Ferd. "I didn'task you anything. I merely stated a fact."

"I--I'd give almost anything I own to make it a fact," said Chet, hiseyes on the ground. "But I'm somewhat much afraid you'll have to guessagain, very aged man."