The Cadets of Flemming Hall

by Anna Chapin Ray

“What, these?” And Max raised his hand to the bridge of his nose, on which triumphantly rode a huge, bulging pair of black goggles.

“Yes, those. Where’d you get them?” demanded Louis.

“They’re little Smythe’s. I borrowed them because the sun was so bright, and you’ve no idea how comfortable they are,” returned Max, while Harry laughed unfeelingly.

“But Max, you aren’t going out to drive with the girls, with those things on!” protested Louis. “They make you look like a cuttle-fish, or an octopus, or a—soft-shell crab. Do take them off.”

“Not a bit of it,” said Max solemnly. “They feel very good, and Smythe wears them when he goes to walk with Bony, so they ought to look well enough for you. Besides, my eyes feel very tired to-day. I studied two good hours this morning, and they aren’t used to the strain.”

“Max Eliot, you deserve to be thrashed!” said Louis wrathfully. “But come on; I can’twaste any more time talking. You’ll have the worst of it.” And he stalked out of the room, followed by Max who pulled off his goggles long enough to wink at Harry, and then settled them in place once more, as he went down the hall.

Quarter of an hour later, a sleigh was driven up to the doctor’s door, and Louis, after passing the lines to Max, jumped out and ran up the steps. After a short interval, he reappeared, followed by two tall young women, helped them into the sleigh, and the party drove off, while Gyp gazed forlornly after them from the front steps.

It was a month after Mrs. Arnold and Dorothy had gone home, and a fresh interest had come to Flemming for, two weeks before this time, the school had been thrown into a ferment by the news that two nieces of the doctor were about to come up from New York, to make him a visit. Guests rarely came to Hilton during the winter months, and this second excitement, following so closely upon the other, had roused even the least susceptible of the boys; so it was surprising how many of them had chanced to be out on the hill, one rainy afternoon, when the old stage deposited two waterproofed figures and two large trunks upon the doctor’s steps. There was but one subject of conversation in the dining-room that night, as the cadets cast envious glances at the vacant chair of Lieutenant Wilde who, in virtue of his cousinship, was privileged to dine with the fair strangers down the hill. Naturally enough, the Wilders were among the first boys to be introduced to Miss Bernard and Miss Alice Bernard; and from that time on, they vied with one another to make the girls’ visit a pleasant one. However, Louis had soon distanced them all in the race for popularity, for a note had come from his mother, introducing him to these daughters of an old schoolmate; and aided by this and by his easy, charming manners, Louis had succeeded in cutting out his mates. The young women, amused by the boy’s devotion and regarding him, as Max had suggested, as a promising infant, had accepted his attentions as frankly as they were given, so Louis had been the fourth in most of their good times with Lieutenant Wilde.

But the last day of their visit had come, and Louis had asked and obtained permission from the doctor to invite his young guests for a long sleigh-ride. Now, at length, there was no Lieutenant Wilde in the way and, for the first and only time, Louis could monopolize the society of Miss Bernard, leaving her younger sister to the care of Max, whom he had repeatedly warned to be on his good behavior.

It would be hard to say why it is that every boy passes through the stage of adoration for a woman years older than himself; but such is the fact, and now, for Louis, that stage had come. He was conscious of a wild thrill of pride and pleasure as he helped pretty Miss Bernard to her seat, and then tucked the robes closely about her, noticing, as he did so, the becomingness of her sealskin toque and jacket. And he too felt very elegant and grown-up as he gathered up the reins, touched the horses with the whip, and went dashing away down the hill and out into the main road which led to the village. If only it had not been for Max and those atrocious goggles, Louis would have been quite content.