It was a sweet girlish voice, and "Mr. Powers" faced about with alacrity, to find himself, to his infinite surprise, face to face with Mary Adams, the girl he had not long ago been discussing.
"Hello!" thought he, "what on earth's up?"
His surprise was the greater because he did not know the girl; he had never been introduced to her, and he wondered how she even knew his name. She was indeed a beautiful girl, with a full round figure, deep black hair and eyes, and a complexion that was warm and red. There was a look of anxiety upon her face that the cadet did not fail to notice.
"Tell me!" she cried. "Mr. Powers, how is he?"
"Why—why——" stammered Texas, adding, "Bless my soul!" after the fashion of his fat friend Indian. "He's all right. He'll be out this afternoon."
"I thought he was nearly killed," said the girl. "I have been so worried."
There was a brief silence after that, during which Texas shifted his feet in embarrassment.
"Tell me," she exclaimed, suddenly. "Do you—do you think he would like to see me?"
"Why, er!" stammered Texas. "To be sure. Why wouldn't he?"
The girl noticed his hesitating tone, and her dark eyes flashed as she spoke again.