“I’m glad you liked it,” and Donald wanted to add, “I was doing it for you,” but did not at this stage of acquaintance.
“You are Dorothy Appleton’s cousin, aren’t you?”
“Yes, and Jack’s, of course.”
“O, do you call John Appleton Jack?”
“Most of the boys do. Come, I must let some of the rest of them meet you, but may I have the first skate with you after dinner, and take you down to the river and bring you back?”
“Certainly. It will be wonderful to skate with such a skater as you are.”
Dinner, which had been planned for an earlier time than usual was served later than usual, merely because it was hard to manage the arranging of couples and seating. But at last the gong rang and the gay company gathered about the prettily decorated tables. Place cards were in the form of skates, and a few of the older girls excused themselves temporarily from their escorts, in order to help all find their seats, and relieve the confusion or prevent it. Miss Randolph, in her most elegant gown, led the way to the dining room with the commandant of the school, who was a fine figure in his uniform. “Probably it would have been better,” she was saying, “had we planned the afternoon contests a little earlier. It still grows dark so early. But we can give them a little more time tonight if it does make it later. The dinner must not be hurried,” of which statement the commandant thoroughly approved.
Cathalina was at a table where sat the young instructors of the military school with their companions, but Betty was at the same table with John Appleton and Hilary, Harry Mills and Lilian, Eloise with a tall, over-grown, handsome young “top-sergeant,” and Dorothy with a rollicking soldier boy who kept the table in mirth with his stories of school affairs.
“How I do adore uniforms!” whispered Eloise to Betty, as she passed her in finding their places. Betty smiled and nodded, as if to say, “So do I.”
“There are no old toasts and speeches this time,” said Dorothy to her brother.