er," said Dick.

"Isn't that Mr. Dodge?" murmured Laura.

Dick only half turned, but his sidelong glance covered the doorway.

"Yes; he appears to be stagging it."

Bert presently disappeared. As a cadet always claims the first
number or two with the young lady whom he has "dragged" hither,
"staggers" have to wait until later in the programme.

Then, presently the music for the opening dance struck up. Dick
had already presented Furlong, a "stagger," to Mrs. Bentley, so
that she was not left alone. Furlong had asked the pleasure of
a dance with Laura's mother, but Mrs. Bentley, with instinctive
tact, realized that the older women did not often dance at cadet
hops. So she begged Mr. Furlong to remain with her and tell her
about the cadet hops.

As the music struck up, and Dick bent before her, he thrilled
with the grace and unaffected friendliness with which Laura rose
and rested one hand on his shoulder. She was a woman, and a
magnificent one! Away they whirled, Anstey and Belle following.

"I greatly enjoyed the High School hops of former days," sighed
Laura, "but this is finer."

"Same escort," murmured Dick.

"Same name, but in many ways much changed," laughed Miss Bentley.
"Dick, I am so glad you came to West Point."

"So am I," he answered simply.

The first two numbers they danced together, then changed partners
for the third dance. Between times, Greg had appeared with Miss
Griffin and introductions had followed. Dick's fourth number
was danced with Miss Griffin, while Anstey led her out for the
fifth.

For that fifth dance Dick introduced one of his classmates to
Laura, and, during that dance, Prescott stood and chatted with
Mrs. Bentley. He saw to it that Laura's mother was very seldom
without company through the evening.

The sixth dance Dick enjoyed with Laura.

"I had a reason for waiting and asking for this dance," he murmured
in her ear.

"Yes?" challenged Laura.

"I discovered that it is the longest number on the programme.
I would dearly love the next number, also, but I must not make
the evening too dull and prosy for you. Will you trust me to
select your partner for the next dance?"

"I am wholly in your hands," smiled Miss Bentley.

After Dick had conducted Laura to a seat beside her mother he
stepped away to find Sennett, of the yearling class.

"Sennett," murmured Dick banteringly, "I have seen you casting
eyes at Miss Bentley."

"I fear I must plead my guilt,