good deal," decided Greg. "Yet, at West Point in the summer,
it's either girls or mischief. Mischief, if carried too far,
gets a fellow bounced out of the Academy, while girls---I wonder
which is safer?"

Still guessing, Cadet Holmes wandered a good way from Cullum Hall,
and was not again seen that night on the polished dancing floor.

* * * * * * * *

Anstey had gone visiting some other yearlings. Dick, after leaving
the college boys and their hosts, felt that a slow stroll outside of
camp would be one of the pleasantest ways of passing the time until
taps at 10.30. Even after the rain, the night was close and sultry.

"Don't you sing, Prescott?" called a first classman as Dick passed
near the head of the color line. "Some of our glee-club fellows
are getting together to try some old home songs."

But Dick shook his head. Though he possessed a fair voice, the
singing of sentimental or mournful ditties was not in his line
that night. He heard the strumming of guitars and mandolins as
he left camp behind.

Dick did not hurry, even to get away from the music. He kept
on up the road, and by the hotel, but was careful not to enter
the grounds, though three or four yearlings called gayly to him
from the hotel veranda. He had no permission for tonight to visit
the hotel.