Damages repaired and the kettle at length filled and singing merrily, the gay little gathering took slight note of time, but soon after four bells struck in the tower clock, Mrs. Harold began to "round up" her masculine guests, for she had no notion of their being late for formation.
"Take your places in the 'firing line!'" she ordered.
"Oh, there's loads of time, Little Mother!" came in protest from Jean Paul.
"Time to burn," from Dick Allyn, who found Stella mighty entertaining.
"Now, Little Mother, you're not going to be so hard-hearted as to turn us out early tonight! Why, it's weeks since we've had the girls here," wheedled Durand.
"Can't help it. Out you all go! There's too much at stake just now to risk any demerits."
"At stake? What's at stake, Little Mother?" were the eager questions.
"Can't tell you a single thing now. I'm tongue-tied until Captain Stewart passes the word."
"Oh, what is it? Please come across with it, Little Mother. When may we know," begged Ralph.
"At formation tonight perhaps. No use teasing! Join the firing line!" and with the command of a general Mrs. Harold shooed her brood out into the corridor, where overcoats and caps hung. They were used to these sudden dismissals, and so were Polly and Peggy, who were too familiar with all that which must be crowded into a limited amount of time not to appreciate what it meant to have "the decks cleared" when necessary. But Rosalie, Natalie, Juno, Marjorie, Stella and the other girls accepted the new order of things with divers emotions. Rosalie giggled, Natalie's face expressed wonder. Juno's was just a shade critical, Marjorie and Stella smiled.