“No time wasted, then,” replied John.
“I imagine that Miss Randolph will make a ‘few brief’ remarks,” said Hilary, “to give direction about the rest of the evening.”
“Yes, and the dear old boy will have to respond with thanks for the pleasures enjoyed,” said Harry irreverently.
“Don’t they look fine, though?” said Lilian. “We ought to be proud of them.”
“We are,” replied Harry. “There aren’t many heads of a military school—as strict as discipline has to be—that are liked as well. The boys all respect him.”
“Well, you know, John,” said Dorothy, “what the best girls think of Miss Randolph.”
By the time the dinner was over, Donald knew where Betty lived, all about her family, what studies she was taking and what she thought on various subjects interesting to young people. In turn he gave her bits of information about his own life and incidentally his character. The Hiltons lived in Chicago and Donald was the oldest of three children, the other two girls.
Hilary was right about the announcements. Miss Randolph rose at the close of the meal, greeted the guests in a few cordial words and announced that the bell would ring at the time to stop skating upon the river. “I think that you will have no difficulty in hearing it, but if we have any doubt a gong will sound at the river.”
Then the officer in charge, as Harry had prophesied, thanked the principal, teachers and young ladies of Greycliff for their entertainment and courtesy, and directed his students where and when to meet for the trip home.
“I’ll be in the hall or parlor waiting for you,” said Donald, as if he were afraid some one else would carry Betty off.