She could make no excuse for remaining in New York while her party went up to West Point--make no excuse, that is, which would not also make trouble. And it was her policy never to do that. She thought and thought until she had nearly given herself the headache which before she had only feigned. At length she decided on this course: To go to West Point with her party, and as soon as they should arrive to get up a return of her neuralgic headache, as her excuse for keeping her room at the hotel and absenting herself from the exercises at the academy.
As soon as she had formed this resolution she got up, opened one of the windows, washed and dressed herself and went out into the parlor.
Old Aaron Rockharrt was sound asleep in his big arm chair.
Cora was seated at the table engaged in reading. She arose to receive the invalid.
"Are you better? Are you sure you are able to be up?" she kindly inquired.
"Oh, yes, dear! Very much better! Well, indeed! When it goes, it goes, you know! But had we better not talk and disturb Mr. Rockharrt?" inquired Rose.
"We cannot disturb him. He sleeps very soundly--too soundly, I think, and too much."
"Do you know by what train we go to West Point to-morrow?"
"By the 7:30 a.m. So that we may arrive in good time for the commencement. We must retire very early to-night, for we must be up betimes in the morning. But sit down; you really look very languid," said Cora, and taking the hand of her companion, she led her to the sofa and made her recline upon it. Then Cora resumed her own seat.
There was silence in the room for a few moments. Mr. Rockharrt slept on. Cora took up her book. Rose was the first to speak.
"I wonder if the new lion, the Dean of Olivet, will go to West Point to-morrow," she said in a tone of seeming indifference.
"Oh, yes! It is in all the papers. He is to be the guest of the chaplain," replied Cora.
"Oh, I don't know that. He may go by the night boat."
"The Dean of Olivet would never travel on Sunday night."
"But he might hold service and preach on the boat."
"What on earth are you talking about? When will dinner be ready?" demanded old Aaron Rockharrt, waking up from his nap. Straightening himself up and looking around, he saw Rose Stillwater.