"Why, I thought Magnus said truth was one of the very first things there!" said Rose.
"Official truth. No cadet is allowed to fib officially. So they take it out socially."
The speaker kept a perfectly grave face, and the two girls looked aghast, felt so, all through the tunnel. But as they ran out in sight of Fort Montgomery and the tall outlines that rose up beyond, cadets (except Magnus) sunk down into very sublunary things.
"Oh, well, Magnus isn't so," Rose said contentedly.
"And we are not likely to see much of other cadets," Violet said, pressing close to her window.
Mrs. Congressman watched them for a minute; the graceful heads, the fair, well-bred faces; but then she seemed to find something very amusing out of her own window, for she smiled to herself till they reached Garrisons. There might be several cadets, she thought, who would have a word to say to that statement.
If Magnus had scanned the way over and up, because there was nobody there, for him, with what a difference the two young sisters watched every point where possibly he might be. Silently they followed their leader into the old omnibus, and noted every stone, stick, and leaf, that decked the road up the hill.
Passing the Mess Hall came a new sensation; for the day was so warm that windows and doors stood wide open, and there was not only the usual tumult of voices, but also a tangle of heads, arms, and grey cloth in view from the omnibus.
"The boys are at dinner," said Mrs. Ironwood.
"Oh, and is Magnus there, too?" cried the girls.