the insane asylum."

"Allen said," Betty contributed, wide-eyed, "that it made him mad to see
the way that Sergeant Mullins hung around the Hostess House all the time.
He made it quite plain that there was no doubt but what I was the main
attraction."

"And Roy thinks it's me," said Grace, her own grammar suffering from
excitement. "Goodness! does he think the poor boy is after all of us?"

"Thinks he's going to start a harem, maybe," cried Mollie hysterically.
"Oh, dear, isn't it too ridiculous?"

"I suppose," said Amy thoughtfully, "it's because Sergeant Mullins is so
awfully good-looking."

"And, of course, he does come around a good deal," added Mollie.

"I know. But that's because he's so lonesome," put in Betty. "And, of
course, we have all tried to be nice to him. I think it's horrid," she
added, flaring up, "for the boys to act so ridiculously just because he
happens to be good-looking and awfully attractive!"

"Oh, Betty, Betty," chided Mollie, wiping a tear--this time of
merriment--from her eyes. "If Allen could only hear you now!"

"Nonsense!" retorted Betty, almost snappishly. "There are dozens of boys
who come here to tell us their troubles, and I don't see why they have
to--"