lood.

"My life is too full of work-days," she declared. "Three days of
domesticity! I can no more. I will see if Jo hasn't returned."

Seeking new fields that night, she slipped surreptitiously down to the
mess hall.

"Halloa!" greeted Jo rapturously. "I've been watching for you, Li'l Penny
Ante. Just got back. What you been doing since the dance?"

"Behaving. And I must get even some way or go stark mad. What have you
been doing?"

"Me? Jakey here and I've been entertaining ourselves with a game of
craps."

"Play it with me instead. It's the only game I've never learned."

"Sure, I'll show you. Sit down here on the floor."

Later Kingdon, in search of the missing guest, strolled down to the mess
hall, guided thither by a rippling laugh chorused with responsive
guffaws.

Curious, he looked in. Seated on the floor were Jo and Pen excitedly
playing an evenly matched game, while an adoring circle of men applauded,
encouraged and scoffed in turn.

There were two patches of crimson in Pen's cream-white cheeks, a bright
sparkle of excitement in her eyes, which changed to the apprehensive look
of a child expecting reproof as she looked up and saw Kingdon.

"I'm having such a good time!" she told him deprecatingly.

He smiled.

"You look it. The children and the rest of us are lamenting your absence.
We want a good time, too."

"I'll come again," she promised, with a backward look at the men, as she
docilely walked on with Kingdon.

Jo hurried after them.

"To-morrow's field day," he reminded her. "You'll be there?"

"I'm living on the thought of it. You're the manager, aren't you?"

He grinned.

"_Acting_ manager--for Kurt Walters."

"Mayn't I do a stunt, too?" she asked eagerly.

"Sure thing, you may. We'll be glad to have a novelty in the way of a lady
performer. What'll it be?"

"I'll see you in the morning and tell you what I can do."

Mrs. Kingdon smiled understandingly when she heard of the game of craps.

"Just a few days up here have done wonders for you," she observed, looking
at her young charge approvingly.

"Yes; I feel physically fit--like a real soldier."

CHAPTER VI

With a little sigh of relief and pleasure, Pen laid aside some garments,
on which she had been steadily and surreptitiously working, and sought
Jo.

"Come down under cover of one of the hills," she urged, "and I will show
you what my part in the day's work will be. Special exhibition. Admittance
free, b