“Oh, but, Jack! think of the honor of being major of the battalion,” cried the girl. “I’m sure Martha and your folks will be very proud of you.”
“Would you be proud, Ruth, if I should win the position?” he asked in a low tone.
“Why, of course—we all would,” returned the girl, her face flushing slightly. “I always like to see my friends make something of themselves.”
Ruth’s tone was cordial enough, and once again Jack was on the point of switching the talk to the party. But now some of the young folks had finished, and the little gathering began to break up and he and Ruth were surrounded by the others.
“We’ve got to do some shopping,” declared Mary, when they were out on the sidewalk. “So we can’t remain with you boys any longer.” And a few minutes later the crowd separated, the girls hurrying in one direction and the cadets in another.
“You let me know if you hear any more about that party,” whispered Jack, on parting from his sister.
“I will,” she answered.
On starting back for the Hall Jack paired off with Fred and purposely lagged behind.
“Did you hear anything about a party in which Brassy Bangs was interested?” he asked of his cousin.
“Mary said that Brassy was getting up some sort of party, to come off either Thursday or Friday of this week. The crowd is going somewhere in two big sleighs.”