"It must have been, my dear," smiled Laura "The fact is that Dick and Greg are not on friendly terms with Mr. Dodge."
"Oh!" murmured Susie, moving away. "I am glad that it was no worse."
A large tent had been erected on one of the lawns. To this tent, later in the afternoon, Miss Sharp invited her guests. Here a collation had been served, with pretty accessories, by a caterer, and several waiters stood about to serve.
When the guests returned to the house they discovered that the rugs had been removed, and that an orchestra was now at hand to furnish music for dancing. Given music and a smooth floor, young people do not mind exertion on a hot June afternoon. Dancing was at once in full swing. Nor did the young people leave until after six o'clock.
Greg escorted Belle Meade home, Dick walking with Laura. The two cadet chums met on Main Street a little later. They stood near a corner, chatting, when Bert Dodge came unexpectedly around the corner.
He saw the two cadets, changed color, then halted.
Neither Dick nor Greg checked their conversation, nor let it be known that they were aware of the ex-cadet's presence.
But Dodge, after looking at the chums sourly for a moment, stepped squarely in front of them.
"See here, you fellows——-" he began, his voice sounding thickly.
"Have you the impudence to address us," asked Prescott coolly.