"Why, that's perfectly outrageous! The very idea, only three days!"
"But they've been such bully days! It's been so pleasant to see Judson again. He'll be here. He's going to stay on for a week with Grandfather."
"And when will you get another holiday?"
"Two years from next June, if I'm lucky."
"How do you mean, lucky?"
"If I pass the examinations and make the Point. If I do, I enter the twelfth of June for two years."
"Why, it's just like having a sentence! Why didn't you stay at the ranch? One can do as one pleases there, at any rate."
A half wistful expression crept into Alec's eyes.
"That's true," he said. "I loved the ranch life, but—you see—Grandfather had chosen the army for me, and when the appointment came, I knew what a disappointment it would be to him if I didn't make a try at it. It's all right though. I like it. There's a fascination about it. Think you don't want to finish this dance?"
Blue Bonnet rose, but just as they moved off the music stopped.