THE FOLKS FROM HOME
Two tall, superbly erect young men, showing the soldier in every line of bearing, stepped jauntily along the road leading to the hotel just before five o'clock.
Each wore the fatigue cap of the cadet, the trim gray, black-trimmed blouse of the cadet uniform. Their white duck trousers were the spooniest as to spotlessness and crease.
Dick and Greg went straight to the hotel office.
"The register, please," asked Prescott, for the clerk's back was turned over some work that he was doing.
This was not a request for the hotel register but for the cadet register. Understanding, the clerk turned and passed a small book known as the cadet register. He opened it to the page for the day, while Prescott was reaching for a pen.
In this register both young men inscribed their names. Each had secured permission from the O.C. to visit the hotel. At the close of every day, a transcript of the day's signatures by cadets is taken, and this transcript goes to the O.C. The clerk will send no cards for cadets who have not first registered. The transcript of registry, which goes to the O.C., enables the latter to make sure that no cadets have visited the hotel without permission.
Prescott laid down his visiting card. Holmes laid another beside it.
"Are Mrs. Bentley, Miss Bentley and Miss Meade here?" queried Dick.
After consulting the hotel register the clerk nodded.