Eames answered without giving Mildred time to speak. "I shall be most happy to take Miss Bryant home after her curiosity is satisfied." Van Tassel’s jealous ears detected the eagerness in his polite tone.
"But supposing my curiosity is not gratified by the time you are obliged to go and array yourself gorgeously for the evening? No, Jack, I am sorry for you, but Mr. Eames is engaged elsewhere."
"It need not be for some hours yet," protested the lieutenant.
Mildred shook her head firmly. "I couldn’t think of allowing you to assume the care of me in addition to all your other responsibilities this evening."
"Very well," said Jack. "When it comes to a matter of letter-writing, my conscience never requires very much soothing."
When they reached the Clambake, two cadets were just issuing therefrom. Their hands went up in an instant salute to Eames, who had for the moment preceded his friends.
"I suppose there is a great deal of eating and running being done to-night," remarked Jack.
"But where are they?" asked Mildred aggrievedly, as they entered the busy, noisy eating-room.
"The cadets mess upstairs," returned Eames, with latent satisfaction. "Did you suppose they fell in here with the general company? You don’t know much of military discipline, Miss Bryant."
"Never mind; if they are going to run up and down that staircase all the time, as they are doing now, I shall see a great deal of them."
"There isn’t much order to-night," remarked the lieutenant. "The cadets own the Fair for the moment, and permits have been issued _ad libitum_."
But supper had scarcely been brought to the three friends when, with a grand clatter on the bare staircase, the remainder of the corps came hurrying down, walked out the door, and quickly forming in ranks marched back to camp.
"Now, does that pay for mingling in this drove of people and getting half-served?" asked Jack, with disdain.
"Fully," exclaimed Miss Bryant, with enthusiasm. "Without those absurd straps around their faces, one can see what beautiful creatures they are."
"Well, I’m glad," returned Van Tassel shortly.
"I am resigned to your interest in the cadets," said Eames, "if it brings you to West Point, for I am likely to get a detail there next year."