A few minutes after ten o'clock
Brighton had her heroes at home , and she was doing them full honor . Many of the boys had enlisted in the various branches of service and were now `` over there . '' But those who remained held a joyous reception in honor of the two whose stirring deeds had brought such signal honor to the school that had sent them forth . A few minutes after ten o'clock , when all the boys had been rung to their rooms and lights were out , two young naval lieutenants stood at the foot of the campus , gazing back at the facade of the familiar old dormitory , its windows framing the heads of many youths who were shouting a farewell to their old friends . The boys stood in silence contemplating the picture -- listening to the chorus of good-bys . Ted was first to speak . `` I guess it was worth while , chum -- our going away to serve our country and coming back to get a reception like this , '' he faltered .