"Because," he answered happily, "there's nothing I like better than to
see you scared--about that," he added quickly, as she turned an indignant
glance upon him.

For a moment it seemed as if anger were there to stay, but it was
impossible to be very angry with Allen--when he looked at one like that.
At least Betty thought so.

"You'd better be careful," she said with a soft little laugh. "If you try
that too much, I may not believe you when the real time comes."

"Betty," he cried fervently, "I won't ever do it again--I promise you. At
least," he added, straightening up, while in his eyes grew a great
resolve, "not until--that real time comes!

"But what have you girls been doing this morning?" he went on, after a
pause.

The girl gave an amused but sympathetic laugh before she answered. Then
she said:

"Mollie and I have been trying to keep the hearts of three of those
recruits that came in yesterday from breaking outright. Poor boys, they're
awfully young--I believe they fibbed about their ages--and look like
cherubs. None of them has ever been away from home before, and they are
pathetically homesick. But they have told us about their homes and their
mothers and fathers and the little brothers and sisters, and Mollie has
joked with them and--Well, anyway, Allen, I believe we have made them
feel that they are not wholly friendless."