Merriam and his comrades made no reply in words. Nor did their faces
express much. They stood at attention, looking stolidly ahead of them,
though their faces were turned toward the officer. It was not the place of
any of them to speak unless the officer asked questions.
Severe as the hazing had been, however, Jack and Hal, at least, had taken
it all in good part. Nor was Jack bound by any of the rules of etiquette
that prevented the cadets from speaking.
"May I offer a word, sir?" asked Jack, wheeling upon the officer.
"You were one of the victims of a hazing, were you not?" demanded the
officer, regarding Jack, keenly.
"Why, could you call it that, sir?" asked Jack, a look of innocent
surprise settling on his face. "We called it a demonstration--an
explanation."
"Demonstration? Explanation?" repeated the officer, astonished in his
turn. "What do you mean, Mr.--er--?"
"Benson," Jack supplied, quietly.
"I think you would better tell me a little more, Mr. Benson," pursued the
unknown naval officer.
"Why, it was like this, sir," Jack continued. "My two friends--Hastings and
Somers--and myself were talking about the West Point and Annapolis hazings,
of which we had heard and read.
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