"Can you do that?" he said. "Is it often done?"
"Not so very. Oh, you can do it, fast enough, if you have a run of bad luck, as I did."
"I don't believe in luck," Magnus answered him.
"Don't you? Well, you will, when you've been here a month."
And now a party of strollers came by the seat; another much-dressed young damsel, set in a framework of grey uniforms. As they passed, the lady bowed; Magnus's friend stood up and doffed his cap, the other cadets also touching theirs; and again (against his will) Magnus admired and envied the easy precision of every movement. He wondered if he could take off his hat with that peculiar swing?--and said no, to himself, at once. But he would have it before furlough--and how astonished Cherry would be!
"Been round Flirtation?" demanded his new acquaintance abruptly, watching the three who went slowly on towards where the path left the brow of the hill, and ran down among the cedars.
"You needn't look so scared," he said--"it's only one of our walks. At least it isn't generally anything else. Come on, and I'll show it to you. I don't see what Fitch is after with that girl; cutting out poor little Day. And he can talk a dozen to Day's one. Come along."
So they rose up, and stepped on at a good pace, till they had the others in full sight again; dropping then into the like easy saunter. At least it was easy to one, but for Magnus like being in bonds; and he was constantly getting ahead, checking himself, and falling back.
"I'll teach them how to walk, when I'm once in," he thought. Then aloud:
"We should call this slow doings out West," he said.
"Yes," said his companion. "Generally want to get there, out West, I suppose?"
It was such a self-evident fact about the three in front, that Magnus looked from them to the man at his side, and his eyes flashed with fun. They both laughed.
"Do none of them ever want to get _anywhere_?" said Magnus.
"Not often--on Flirtation. Spoil the fun, you know."
"Well, you say that is Mr. Fitch, and the other is Mr. Day, then who are you?" said Magnus.
"To be sure!" said the cadet with a lazy drawl. "I've been wondering how long a Westerner could get along without asking."
If Magnus grew hot at this implied charge, he had no chance to show it then. A sudden drum-call, clear and loud, sent its racket through the still air. The cadet stopped short.