"That is very good," said the Red Knight. "So do I. Now we come to our plan of attack. It is very simple. I shall lead flanking parties against the enemy's right and left wing and head a furious charge against the centre. A small detachment of picked men under my personal command will go out in advance and feel out the enemy. As for the rear guard and train that shall be my own concern. Between operations I shall write full account of the battle for several newspaper syndicates with which I have signed contracts. Is there anything I have overlooked?"
It was the Forester who spoke up. "There's the band music for the triumphal return from Chicago."
The Red Knight smiled indulgently. "That is already composed and orchestrated. I may revise it a bit while I am dictating terms to the enemy. So that is all. You may go, gentlemen."
"But how about me?" said Alice, of whose presence the Red Knight had been quite oblivious. Her feelings were hurt, and she was on the point of crying.
"Why, sure enough, there you are, Alice," said the Red Knight. "I think you had better go to the rear till it's all over. The fight may last till ten o'clock, and that's no hour for one of your age to be out of bed."
"I will never leave you!" cried Alice. "Under no circumstances. There's no one else like you in the whole world."
The Red Knight smiled and stroked her hair. "Very well, then. I'll tell you what we'll do. You don't ride a horse, do you?"
"I never learned," she said.
"It doesn't matter," said the Red Knight. "No horse could keep up with me, anyhow. We'll get you a taxicab and you can keep right by my side."
But Alice now had her qualms. "Is it very dangerous?" she asked.