"He looks like a first-class fellow," said Mrs. Gresham, watching him, as he suddenly moved off and joined the grey circle around the band. "What a fine face he has! I noticed him yesterday before parade."
"Good fellow enough," assented Mr. Gresham, who was just then "noticing" the arrival of Miss Saucy. "But he's so awfully homesick. Blue as Cat's eyes."
"Well, you're not obliged to call me 'Cat,' sir, if you are a captain," said the little girl, trying hard to make a pinch tell through the thick cadet cloth. "He's the one that was up among the rocks, Aunt Effie. I told you, and you wouldn't look."
"Certainly not," said Mrs. Gresham. "Never try to see anybody who does not wish to be seen, Catty."
Miss Catty pouted.
"I knew he was a cadet," she said, "for I saw the bell buttons. And I thought cadets always want to be looked at. They act so."
There was a burst of laughter from the group that had gathered round Mrs. Gresham.
"Oh, what a pity she's not a little older!" cried Miss Flyaway. "Your mainstay ought not to graduate for six years to come, Mrs. Gresham, that Catty might be up to the situation. But then, we poor damsels would have lost him. So it's best as it is. Things are generally best as they are."
"Some few things might be improved," said Mrs. Gresham quietly. "Joseph, I wish you would bring up Mr. Kindred, and introduce him."
"Now, ma'am?"