"A good father is a great blessing, Max, as I have found in my own experience," said Mr. Keith.
But the roll of the drums began again, now playing "Pease upon a Trencher;" again the ranks were formed, rolls called; the sergeants marched their companies to the colour line, officers took their stations; first captain ordered attention, swung the battalion into column of platoons to the left, ordered "Forward, guide right, march!" and away they went, to the stirring music of the fifes and drums, away across the plain till the main road was reached, down the shaded lane between the old "Academic" and the chapel, past the new quarters, and the grassy terrace beyond. Then each platoon wheeled in succession to the right, mounted the broad stone steps, and disappeared beneath the portals of the mess hall.
Our party, who had followed at so slight a distance as to be able to keep the cadets in sight to the door of entrance, did not attempt to look in upon them at their meal, but hurried on to the hotel to give attention to their own breakfasts,--the keen morning air and the exercise of walking having bestowed upon each one an excellent appetite.
Max and Lulu were very eager to "get back in time to see everything," as they expressed it, so began eating in great haste.
Their father gently admonished them to be more deliberate.
"You must not forget," he said, "that food must be thoroughly masticated in order to digest properly; and those who indulge in eating at such a rapid rate will be very likely soon to suffer from indigestion."
"And we may as well take our time," added Mr. Keith, "for it will be an hour or more before anything of special interest will be going on among the cadets."
"Morning drill, which is not very interesting, comes next; then the tents are put in order."
"That must take a good while," remarked Lulu.
"Oh!" she cried in surprise; "how can they do it so quickly? I'm sure I couldn't put my room at home in good order in less than ten minutes."
"But, then, you're not a boy, you know," laughed Max.
"I'm quite as smart as if I were," she returned promptly. "Isn't that so, Papa?"
"I have known some boys who were not particularly bright," he answered, with an amused look. "Perhaps you might compare quite favourably with them."