"What is the matter? What are they going to do now?" asked Mildred.
"Going to the Clambake to supper," replied Eames.
"Then I am going to the Clambake to supper," announced Miss Bryant.
"I think you would not enjoy it," said Eames shortly.
"I know I shall," responded Mildred, with her glorious smile.
"I am so sorry I shall have to leave you," remarked Helen. "I have a number of friends among the first class. They were yearlings when I was at the post. I have promised to attend the festivities with one of them to-night. Do come and see me, Mr. Van Tassel," holding out her hand. "Remember you owe me a game of tennis. I assure you, you would not beat all the time. Are you coming with me, Fred?"
"I believe not, unless you want me. If these people are determined to go to the Clambake, I think I shall have to go too; but remember, you are to save a two-step for me to-night."
"_Au revoir_, then;" and Miss Eames, her last glance for Jack, moved away.
"We won’t go with Mildred," said Clover, "for we have had tea recently, and aren’t hungry yet. You would never guess where, either. Good-by, Mr. Eames. We are all greatly indebted to you."
"Indeed we are," said Gorham, shaking hands cordially with the lieutenant. "That was a most interesting sight. I congratulate you on being one fit to survive that tremendous training. This is the show side, but I know something of the other."
"Where did you have tea; where?" demanded Mildred, smiling into Gorham’s serious face. He instantly smiled back. Those cold, abstracted eyes of Page’s had learned a new look recently, as though so much sunshine had warmed his heart that there was an overflow.
"It would make you so discontented with the Clambake, dear," suggested Clover with mischievous deprecation.
"You selfish creatures! Aren’t they?" exclaimed Mildred, calling upon Eames and Van Tassel to witness.
"Yes, we are," laughed Gorham, as he and Clover turned away. "We know it."
Mildred, her companions on either side of her, began her walk northward. Eames wished cordially that Jack would remember an engagement. Jack wished sincerely that he knew what Mildred wanted him to do. Unconsciously fulfilling the lieutenant’s desire, he spoke:—
"I suppose I really ought to be at home attending to some correspondence I have been putting off, instead of loitering at the Clambake."