"Oh, I'm sorry," Dave replied. "But there had been many other applicants. By the time that Miss Meade's card was filled there were many disappointed ones."
"And I'm one of them?" demanded Mr. Treadwell.
"Very sorry," replied Darrin regretfully, "but you were one of the left-over ones."
"Very good, sir," replied Treadwell coldly, and moved away.
"Now, I'll wager anything that Treadwell is sore with me," murmured Dave to himself. "However, Belle is the one to be pleased."
It was a particularly gay and pleasant hop. When it was over Dave and Dan escorted the girls and Mrs. Meade back to the hotel. The little room in Bancroft Hall seemed especially small and dingy to the returning midshipmen.
Especially was Dan Dalzell in the blues. Though he had been outwardly gay with the girls, he now suffered a re-action. Dave, too, shivered for his friend.
Mrs. Meade and the girls returned by an early morning train, so the two chums did not see the girls again during that visit.
On Sunday, Dave went at his books with a dogged air, after morning chapel and dinner.
"I suppose this is the last day of study for me here," grimaced Dan, "so I mean to make the most of the pleasure."