kfast-table from the lips of their better halves, who could
hardly find words to express their sentiments as to the inability of
their lords to explain the new phase of the situation. When the first
sergeant of Company B came around to Captain Armitage with the
sick-book, soon after six in the morning, the captain briefly directed
him to transfer Lieutenant Jerrold on the morning report from present
for duty to "in arrest," and no sooner was it known at the quarters of
Company B than it began to work back to Officers' Row through the medium
of the servants and strikers.

It was the sole topic of talk for a full hour. Many ladies who had
intended going to town by the early train almost perilled their chances
of catching the same in their eagerness to hear further details.

But the shriek of the whistle far up the valley broke up the group that
was so busily chatting and speculating over in the quadrangle, and, with
shy yet curious eyes, the party of at least a dozen--matrons and maids,
wives or sisters of the officers--scurried past the darkened windows of
Mr. Jerrold's quarters, and through the mysterious passage west of the
colonel's silent house, and down the long stairs, just in time to catch
the train that whirled them away city-ward almost as soon as it had
disgorged the morning's mail. Chatting and laughing, and full of blithe
anticipation of the glories of the coming german, in preparation for
which most of their number had found it necessary to run in for just an
hour's shopping, they went jubilantly on their way. Shopping done, they
would all meet, take luncheon together at the "Woman's Exchange," return
to the post by the afternoon train, and have plenty of time for a little
nap before dressing for the german. Perhaps the most interesting
question now up for discussion was, who would lead with Mr. Rollins? The
train went puffing into the crowded depot: the ladies hastened forth,
and in a moment were on the street; cabs and carriages were passed in
disdain; a brisk walk of a block carried them to the main thoroughfare
and into the heart of the shopping district; a rush of hoofs and wheels
and pedestrians there encountered them, and the roar assailed their
sensitive and unaccustomed ears, yet high above it all pierced and
pealed the shrill voices of the newsboys darting here and there with
their eagerly-bought journals. But women bent on germans and shopping
have time and ears for no such news as that which dema