Then the officer moved over to where Tip Branders and his mother sat. Tip rose awkwardly. "Branders, I'm sorry to say we must decline your enlistment," announced the recruiting officer, in a low tone. "Wot's that?" demanded Tip unbelievingly. "I find myself unable to accept you as a recruit in the Army," replied the lieutenant. "Why, wot's the matter?" demanded Tip, thunderstruck. "Didn't I get by the sawbones all right?" "If you mean the surgeon, yes," replied the recruiting officer. "But I regret to say that we do not receive satisfactory accounts of you from the home town." "Wot's the matter? Somebody out home trying to give me the crisscross?" demanded Tip indignantly. "We do not receive a satisfactory account of your character, Branders, and therefore you are not eligible for enlistment," went on Shackleton. "Madam, I am extremely sorry, but the regulations allow me to pursue no other course in the matter. I cannot enlist your son." "See here, officer----" began Mrs. Branders hoarsely, as she got upon her feet. "When addressing Mr. Shackleton, call him 'lieutenant,' not 'officer,'" murmured one of the orderlies in her ear. "You mind your own business," flashed Mrs. Branders, turning her face briefly to the orderly. Then she wheeled, giving her whole attention to the lieutenant. "See here, officer, do you mean to say that my boy ain't good enough to get into the Army?" "I am sorry, madam, but the report we receive of his character isn't satisfactory," answered Shackleton quietly. "What? My boy ain't good enough to go with the loafers and roughs in the Army?" cried Mrs. Branders angrily. "He's too good for 'em--a heap sight too good for any such low company! But s'posing Tip has been just a little frisky sometimes, what has that got to do with his being a soldier? I thought you wanted young fellows to fight--not pray!" "The soldier who can do both makes the better soldier, madam," replied the lieutenant, feeling sorry for the mother's humiliation. "And now I will say good morning to you and your son, madam, for I am very busy to-day. Overton and Terry, come into my office." Before turning, Lieutenant Shackleton bowed to Mrs. Branders as gracefully and courteously as he could have done to the President's wife. Then he started for his office, leaving Mrs. Branders and Tip to depart in bewilderment and anger. Hal and Noll followed the lieutenant, trying not to let their faces betray any feeling over Tip's troubles. "You still wish to enlist?" asked Shackleton, turning to the waiting lads, after he had seated himself. "Yes, sir," answered both. "Then you will sign the rolls," directed the recruiting officer, passing papers forward, dipping a pen in ink and passing it to Hal. Hal signed, slowly, with a solemn feeling. It was Noll's turn next. "I will now administer the oath," continued Lieutenant Shackleton gravely, as he rose at his desk. "Raise your right hand, Overton, and repeat after me."