"Good blood," so he muttered to himself, as he noted the clear skin and pure colour, "and well brought up"—for unmistakable lines of truth and intelligence marked the face. "Warm-hearted—almost—as a woman, and wilful enough for two! What will he do at West Point? and what will West Point do to him?"
The grave eyes were shielded, and from the kindly heart went up that longing petition of the Lord himself:
"I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil."
So the night wore on, with alternate snatches of talk and sleep, until the early dawn of the June day came swiftly up over the outside world.
"To-night I shall be at West Point," said Magnus, as the two new-made friends went back to their car after breakfast.
"Ordered to report to-day?"
"No, sir, not until Friday."
"Where will you stay to-night?"
"Oh, I cannot tell," said Magnus. "I don't know anybody nor anything at West Point. Oh, I suppose I'll find some place!"
"'Some place' is not always a good place. You had better stay in town with me to-night, and take an early morning train up river."