Chapter 10

           Attheterminationofthisinterview,Benjaminwandereddismallyupstairsandstaredathimselfinthemirror.Hehadnotshavedforthreemonths,buthecouldfindnothingonhisfacebutafaintwhitedownwithwhichitseemedunnecessarytomeddle.WhenhehadfirstcomehomefromHarvard,Roscoehadapproachedhimwiththepropositionthatheshouldweareye-glassesandimitationwhiskersgluedtohischeeks,andithadseemedforamomentthatthefarceofhisearlyyearswastoberepeated.Butwhiskershaditchedandmadehimashamed.HeweptandRoscoehadreluctantlyrelented.

           Benjaminopenedabookofboys’stories,TheBoyScoutsinBiminiBay,andbegantoread.Buthefoundhimselfthinkingpersistentlyaboutthewar.AmericahadjoinedtheAlliedcauseduringtheprecedingmonth,andBenjaminwantedtoenlist,but,alas,sixteenwastheminimumage,andhedidnotlookthatold.Histrueage,whichwasfifty-seven,wouldhavedisqualifiedhim,anyway.

           Therewasaknockathisdoor,andthebutlerappearedwithaletterbearingalargeofficiallegendinthecornerandaddressedtoMr.BenjaminButton.Benjamintoreitopeneagerly,andreadtheenclosurewithdelight.ItinformedhimthatmanyreserveofficerswhohadservedintheSpanish-AmericanWarwerebeingcalledbackintoservicewithahigherrank,anditenclosedhiscommissionasbrigadier-generalintheUnitedStatesarmywithorderstoreportimmediately.

           Benjaminjumpedtohisfeetfairlyquiveringwithenthusiasm.Thiswaswhathehadwanted.Heseizedhiscap,andtenminuteslaterhehadenteredalargetailoringestablishmentonCharlesStreet,andaskedinhisuncertaintrebletobemeasuredforauniform.