CONCLUSION
There was one more formation yet—-one more meal to be eaten under good old Bancroft Hall.
But right after breakfast the graduates, each one now in brand-new cit. attire, began to depart in droves.
Some went to the earliest train; others stopped at the hotels and boarding houses in town to pick up relatives and friends with whom the gladsome home journey was to be made.
"I don't like you as well in cits.," declared Belle, surveying
Dave critically in the hotel parlor.
"In the years to come," smiled Dave, "you'll see quite enough of me in uniform."
"I don't know about that," Belle declared, her honest soul shining in her eyes. "Do you feel that you'll ever see enough of me?"
"I know that I won't," Dave rejoined. "You have one great relief in prospect," smiled Belle. "Whenever you do grow tired of me you can seek orders to some ship on the other side of the world."
"The fact that I can't be at home regularly," answered Midshipman Darrin, "is going to be the one cloud on our happiness. Never fear my seeking orders that take me from home—-unless in war time. Then, of course, every Naval officer must burn the wires with messages begging for a fighting appointment."
"I'm not afraid of your fighting record, if the need ever comes," replied Belle proudly. "And, Dave, though my heart breaks, I'll never show you a tear in my eyes if you're starting on a fighting cruise."