n to one. If this man is a disgraced cadet, you have a right to
feel as you do about him. But leave him alone--the years will bring him
more sorrow and pain than you can with your fists. And you, fellow,"
turning to Hanlon. "Don't think I'm interfering just to save your
worthless skin," his tone was one of utmost contempt. "I just don't want
Corpsmen fighting on the street. Dismiss."

The five saluted smartly and marched away. The admiral winked briefly
and with respect at Hanlon before reentering his cab.

But as the young man hurried back to his hotel to clean up, he was
heartsick, remembering the many, many months of pleasant companionship
with those boys. Especially Dick Trowbridge, who had been his roommate
and special chum all through cadet school, and who today had seemed
particularly disgusted and vicious in that fight.

Giving up all that had made life so happy and wonderful was more than a
fellow could bear, his bitter thoughts ran. What a fool he had been to
let himself be talked into taking this on. Where were all those "vast
rewards" his dad and Admiral Rogers had talked about so eloquently? How
could anything possibly make up for losing the respect and friendship of
everyone he had ever known?

However, he had to admit, though still doubtfully, Dad had gone through
it even to the point of giving up his son, and those last few weeks with
his adored wife, yet now seemed satisfied and content. Maybe ... maybe
there was something behind it all, that time would prove. But it was
mighty hard to take, just the same.

And this throbbing toothache didn't help his feelings any, either. The
exposed nerve in that broken tooth made it ache like blazes. He'd better
get it fixed before it drove him mad.

He started to go out, then stopped with the realization he had no money
of his own to pay a dentist for the extraction and a bridge.

"What do I do in a case like this?" he wondered. "Is it ethical in such
a purely personal matter, to use Corps funds? Dad didn't mention things
of this sort. On the other hand, he said we got our salaries and
expenses that way. Besides, you could say I lost the tooth in line of
duty, and the Corps should replace it."

He went on, found a dentist and had the work done. Nor did he ever
again feel doubt about spending the Corps' money for things he actually
needed ... but neither did he ever spend any on purely personal pleasures
or extra comforts save as he needed to do so to play up