"They're not! And this isn't what you mean by a girl. It's a—a——"
"An angel, perhaps," said Rig. "Then allow me to inquire what business you have to be rattled, with anything an angel sees fit to do."
"Rig," said Magnus seriously, pausing before him, "do you know whereabouts we are in barracks?"
"Second floor, first div.," Rig answered.
"Well, you can have a chance to measure the breadth of the window, and the depth to the ground, just as soon as you want it."
"Thanks, I'm sure," said Mr. McLean. "At this moment, I am hard at work on the problem of your temper, minus your common sense. What does the letter say?"
"Don't know yet," said Magnus. "I've only read three lines."
Rig looked at him, and then gathering up his own books, he carried them over to the cold steam pipes, laid them down, and perched himself at one end.
"You must excuse me," he said; "you are so plainly insane, that a due regard to my personal safety brings about this temporary coolness. 'Distance lends enchantment'—but you are more irresistible near by."
Magnus flung back into his chair again, with a half groan, and took up the letter. If it had been release from quarters he would have gone to Fort Put for the reading.