"You say you must go immediately back to West Point," said Miss Cardigan. "Leave thanking Daisy's hand, and tell me when you are going; for the night is far past, children."
"I am gone when I bid you good-night," said Thorold. "I must set out with the dawn—to catch the train I must take."
"With the dawn!—this morning!" cried Miss Cardigan.
"Certainly. I should be there this minute, if the colonel had not given me something to do here that kept me."
"And when will ye do it?"
"Do it! It is done," said Thorold; "before I came here. But I must catch the first train in the morning."
"And you'll want some breakfast before that," she said, rising.
"No, I shall not," said Thorold, catching hold of her. "I want nothing. I did want my supper. Sit down, Aunt Catherine, and be quiet. I want nothing, I tell you, but more time."
"We may as well sit up the rest of the night," I said; "it is so far gone now."