“Mercy, I hope not,” returned Louise; “we girls all wore our slippers and brought no other shoes.”
“We could get you safely into the ’buses without your getting your feet wet,” said Captain Holley.
“I’d like to know how, Rudolph,” said his sister.
“Carry you!”
“Why, it promised to be moonlight as we drove over,” said Betty, and she drew back the curtain to peer out. Who was that? A forlorn, lone figure marched up the walk and turned to go back. Betty grasped the situation in a moment. It was Donald. Something had happened, and Donald had been put under discipline, and Captain Holley wanted her to see it. That was no guard marching up and down. This flashed through her mind like a flash, as she dropped the curtain, and with perfect self-control, though with flushing cheeks, turned toward Louise and began to flirt her fan carelessly in her hands. “Oh, well, Louise, if it does cloud up, what is the difference? The great military reception will be over. You have no idea, Captain Holley, how we girls have looked forward to this night, with the drills, the fun and the unusual atmosphere of military surroundings. It is all so—quaint!”
“Quaint, is it? That is good. And will there be no regrets?”
“Possibly, but if one is good and kind, there ought to be no regrets.”
“I am wondering what has become of your escort, Miss Betty.”
“Yes, you must be. I am told that he is detained. It is unfortunate for me, is it not?”
“It is very unfortunate for him. Will you not join Louise and me to watch the drills? Captain Van Horne has the young lady he invited with him.”