"But this is only the first ditch taken, you know," spoke Prescott
soberly, though in military phrase. "I have my chance now; that
is all. I have more than four years of hard fight facing me
before I am sure that the Army can be my career."
"You'll make it, Prescott, just as you've made everything you've
gone after at High School," replied Dr. Bentley heartily. "But,
now that we've congratulated you, we mustn't keep you an instant
longer from your classmates. I had just come in with my car,
and Laura told me, so I directed my man to wait. He'll take you
both along the road in short order. Good night, my boy!"
Laura brought her wrap, holding it out to Dick.
"If you're to be a gallant Army officer," she teased, "you must
learn to do this sort of thing gracefully."
Blushing, Dick did his best. Then the young people went out.
Dick helped his companion into the car, then seated himself beside
her.
"We're going to pick up Dave and Belle," Laura explained, as the
car moved swiftly away. "Then we'll all go in together."
One fellow had beaten them to the class ball, and that fellow
was Tom Reade. How he ever did it no one will be able to guess,
but Tom flew home, got into his best, and had reached the ball
before these young people appeared on the scene.
The happy young candidates-elect went with their companions to
the cloak room. Then, Laura on Dick's arm, and Belle clinging
to Dave, the two couples entered the ballroom.
Pages:
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168