The Commandant paused for a moment as if thinking, then went on, "When will you be ready to be commissioned, Mr. Dodson?"
Matt strangled a bit, then managed to answer, "I don't know, sir. Three or four years, perhaps."
"I think a year should suffice, if you apply yourself. I'm sending you down to Hayworth Hall. You can catch the shuttle from the Station this afternoon.
"The usual delay for leave, of course," he added.
"That's fine, sir!"
"Enjoy yourself. I have an item here for you-" The blind man hesitated a split second, then reached for another clip, "-a copy of a-letter from Lieutenant Thurlow's mother. Another copy has been placed in your record."
"Uh, how is the lieutenant, sir?"
"Completely recovered, they tell me. One more thing before you go-"
"Yes, sir."
"Let me have some notes on what troubles you ran into in recommissioning the Astarte, emphasizing what you had to learn as you went along-especially any mistakes you made."
"Uh, aye aye, sir."
"Your notes will be considered in revising the manual on obsolete equipment. No hurry about it-do it when you come back from leave."
Matt left the Commandant's presence feeling only a fraction the size he had when he had gone in, yet he felt curiously elated rather than depressed. He hurried to the room he shared with Tex and found him waiting. Tex looked him over. "I see you've had it."
"Check."
"Hayworth Hall?"
"That's it." Matt looked puzzled. "I don't understand it. I went in there honestly convinced that I was going to be commissioned. But I feel wonderful. Why is that?"
"Don't look at me. I feel the same way, and yet I can't remember that he had a kind word to say. The whole business on Venus he just tossed off."
Matt said, "That's it!"
"What's what?"
" 'He just tossed it off.' That's why we feel good. He didn't make anything of it because he didn't expect anything less-because we are Patrolmen!"
"Huh? Yes, that's it-that's exactly it! Like he was thirty-second degree and we were first degree, but members of the same lodge." Tex started to whistle.
"I feel better," said Matt. "I felt good before, but now I feel better, now that I understand why. Say-one other thing."
"What?"
"You didn't tell him about the fight I had with Burke in New Auckland, did you?"
"Of course not." Tex was indignant.
"That's funny. I didn't tell anybody but you, and I could have sworn that no one saw it. I planned it that way."
"He knew about it?"
"He sure did."
"Was he sore?"
"No. He said he realized that Burke was out on bond
and that I was on leave and he had no wish to invade my private life-but he wanted to give me a word of advice."
"Yeah? What was it?"
"Never lead with my left."
Tex looked amazed, then thoughtful. "I think he was telling you not to lead with your chin, too."
"Probably." Matt started repacking his jump bag. "When's the next scooter for the Station?"
"About thirty minutes. Say, Matt, you've got leave of course?"
"Check."
"How about picking up my invitation to spend a few weeks on the Jarman spread? I want you to meet my folks -and Uncle Bodie."
"Uncle Bodie, by all means. But Tex?"
"Yeah?"
"Hotcakes for breakfast?"
"No hotcakes."
"It's a deal"
"Shake."