The Washington times., 1931-11-24
CHAPTER SO


in which they are specially in
tereSted, and in those are to be
examined.
Unfortunately, the subjects in
which we are specially inter-
eSted do not figure in the
syllabus, so we simplify mat
terS after our own fashion.
Every man is to submit two
questions in each subject and
to undertake to be able to an
swer them. Westerholt has
seated himself at the masters
desk and before him are sew
eral large, blank sheets OF
paper With our names. We be-
gin to dictate to him the ques-
tions that we wish to be asked.
Willy is uncommonly fastidi-
Gus. He turns over and over
the pages Of his history book,
and only after long searching
up and down does he plump
at last for the two questions
following: when was the bat
tie of Zama?" and "When
was the reign of Otto the
Lazy?"
Westerholt and Albert take
the lists of questions and sub
jects to the several masters.
They go first to the principal
who eyes them with some ap-
prehersion; he has not been
led to expect any good at our
hands. He studies the lists and
then lays them aside with a
gesture Of disgust.
But, gentlemen, the minis
ter requires that you submit
such fields as you may be
specifically interested in; that
is to say, certain definite large
sections from each course OF
study. But what you offer here
is no more than bare, simple
questions"
1.-THE fields of our interest
are no greater" answers Albert.
But then don't we make up
for it by knowing them so very
tres bon?" adds Westerholt.
The principal hands the lists
back. mo, I cannot agree to
that. It would merely be to
make q farce of the whole ex-
animation"
well, isn't it so. anyway" re-
torts Westerholt, beaming.
The principal shrugs his shoul-
ders, but eventually accepts the
lists.
Two Hours Late
Willy unfortunately turns
up two hours late for the essay,
having got drunk with Karl the
night before. Hollermann is
greatly perturbed and asks
Willy if he thinks he can now
finish in time. Willy mods con-
filently, sits down in his place,
takes from the pocket of his
cutaway the essay written al
ready for him by Ludwig,
spreads it out in. front Of him
and then gratefully lays down
his heavy head for a short nap.
He is still so befuddled during
the divinity test that he nearly
gives up his answers in nature
study by mistake. He has
brought the whole lot along all
in one envelope. Albert just
prevented it at the last mo-
ment.
We profit by the intervals
during the oral examinations
to have a last game of skat.
That is one of the few things
we really did learn to some pur-
pose in the army.
Whenever one Of the players
is summoned for examination
he either puts down his cards
for the moment and resumes
the play afterwards, or else
gives his hand to some one he
can trust to get everything out
of it that is in it.
Willy has such. incredible
luck that he forgets everything
else in the excitement Of the
play. Just as he is beginning
to bid on a wonderful hand-a
Solo Grand. without two, and
with Schneider-he Is called up
for examination in literature.
He looks at the cards in de-
spair. I'D rather fail than not
play out this hand!" he de-
clares. But finally he puts his
cards into his pocket, making
the other two promise over a
handshake to wait until he
returns and not to monkey with
the hands in the meantime.
The consequence is that he has
forgotten the answer to one Of
his questions in literature.
Literature is the crucial sub
ject, you know" says Holler-
mann, full Of concern: "if you
get below three, you fail"
Could not Fail
Willy brightens up. What
will you bet I don't make it?"
answers Willy, his head still
full of the Solo Grand in his
pocket, and persuaded that a
returned man could not possibly
fail. The form master shakes
his head. He is used to taking
a lot from Willy. He waits
patiently. Then all at once
willy pulls it off and starts
back in hot haste to take Rein
erSmann's and WeSterholt'S
scalpS. "Ninety.one!" says he
triumphantly collects the
money.
We all pass. of course. The
principal taking heart again a
1;kk1a ~aaVa, that ha iS oh0H1t fO