and afterwards find out it was all a mistake?  And how many girls fall in love with the uniform, thinking all the while that it’s the fellow in the uniform?  How many cadets and girls recover from the delusion only in after years when it’s too late.  I tell you, Greg, when a fellow gets into this cadet life, I think the practice of going too often to a hop may be dangerous for cadets and girls alike!

“I’ll get cold feet if I listen to you long,” laughed yearling Holmes grimly.  “I wonder if I’d better pull these gloves off and stay where I am?”

“I didn’t have any idea of seeking to persuade you,” Dick replied.  “If you feel proof against the danger, run right over to Cullum and enjoy yourself.”

“I was just thinking,” mused Greg, “of a promise you and Dave Darrin made some girls back in Gridley.”

“I remember that promise,” nodded Dick.

“You and Darrin promised Laura Bentley and Belle Meade that you’d each invite them to hops, you to West Point and Dave to Annapolis, just as soon as either one of you had a right to attend hops.”

“I know,” nodded Prescott.

Greg was silent.  After a few moments Dick ventured: 

“Greg, I kept that promise the day we moved into encampment—–­the first day that I was a yearling.”

“Oh!  Are Laura and Belle coming on West Point soon?” Holmes asked eagerly.

“I don’t know.  I’ll be mighty glad when I do know.  But undoubtedly Darrin has invited them to Annapolis, too.  Now, it may be that, even if the girls can get away to travel a bit, they can’t go to West Point and to Annapolis in the same season.  So the girls may be trying to make up their minds—–­which.”

“I hope they come here,” murmured Holmes fervently.

“So do I,” Prescott replied promptly.

“Dick—–­do you—–­mind if I ask a question,” demanded Greg slowly.

“No,” smiled Dick, “for I think I know what it is.”

“Are you---is Laura---I mean-----”

“You wonder whether Laura and I had any understanding before I left Gridley?  That’s what you want to know?”

“That is what I was wondering.”

“There is no understanding between us—­not the least,” Prescott replied.  “I don’t know whether Laura would consent to one, now or later.  I don’t know myself yet, either, Greg.  I want to wait until I have grown some in mind.  Laura Bentley is such a magnificent girl that it would be a crime to make any mistake either as to her feelings or mine.”

“Do you think good old Dave and Belle Meade had any understanding before Dave left Gridley?”

“Dave went away after we did,” Prescott answered.  “So I can’t be sure.  But I don’t believe Dave and Belle are pledged in any way.”

“Funny game, the whole thing!” sighed Greg, rising.  He had drawn off one of his white lisle-thread gloves, but now he was engaged in putting it on again.