"Nobody would expect you to think so," Will replied, his eyes twinkling,
then added seriously:

"Of course we all know that Allen was the finest kind even before the war,
but, gosh! I wish you could just see how all the fellows love him and how
even his superior officers consult him and seem to value his judgment. I
tell you, I'm glad to have him call me his friend."

"You bet!" exclaimed Frank, nodding soberly.

"Allen sure has come out strong," Roy agreed; and at this glowing praise
of the only absent one Betty felt her heart swell with pride and she
wanted to hug the boys for being so loyal to her Allen. Also, deep down in
her heart, she began to feel a little trepidation about the homecoming of
this hero. Who was she, Betty Nelson, to call this glorious Lieutenant
Allen Washburn, her Allen?

So engrossed was she in these and other absorbing thoughts that it was
some time before she noticed that the conversation had taken another turn.
Also that the boys and girls were becoming rather excited.

"I didn't say it was a ghost," Mollie was declaring hotly. "In fact I have
always thought of a ghost as wearing a sheet and pillow case sort of garb.
And this thing certainly wore nothing of the sort."

"Tell us all about it," said Frank, leaning forward.

"Yes, it sounds as if it might prove interesting," added Roy.