"Somebody's boy got a commission—don't all rush——"

But already they all had made a rush to the window, where Vic was lifting up a corner of the white casement curtain to peep.

They crowded five deep behind her.

"It is an officer too!" announced the red-haired girl. "Captain!"

"I say, isn't he tall!"

"Doesn't he make carroty little Rhys look a shrimp?"

"Dark, isn't he? I do like dark men. A fair man always looks so quiet."

"Huh! 'Looks'! This one looks 'quiet' enough, but I daresay——"

"Whatever's he coming here for?"

"He's not coming in; no such luck."