"Along about Easter vacation, I think." Blue Bonnet fairly jumped with joy. "He is? Really--aren't you joking, Alec? He hasn't said anything about it to me." "Maybe I've let the cat out, then. Well--it's true just the same. That's the way he talks now. Hadn't we better sit down?" "Oh, I'm awfully rude. Sit here." She drew forth as comfortable a chair as the room afforded. "You took me so by surprise that I forgot my manners." "I expected to find you over-stocked on 'em, to tell the truth. My, but you look grown up! What have you been doing to your hair? Does Miss Clyde stand for that?" "Aunt Lucinda hasn't seen it yet. It's something new." "The We Are Sevens are still clinging to hair-ribbons. I saw Kitty Clark this morning. She was on her way to school." "You did? I'm wild to see the girls. I'm going home next week to stay over Sunday. That is, I am, if I can manage to keep the rules. I'm doing penance this week." Alec gave a low whistle. "What have you been up to?" he asked. "We'll talk of that another time. And you got your appointment! How pleased the General must be." "Yes--rather! He's no end pleased. It's been his dream, you know. As far as I'm concerned I'd as lief take to ranching. I'm pretty much in love with that Texas of yours. Look at the brawn it's put on me." He doubled up his arm to show the muscle, and Blue Bonnet nodded approvingly. "It's certainly made you over," she said. "You look as if you could fight now. You'd have made a poor soldier before!" The fifteen minutes passed with lightning rapidity. Blue Bonnet got up first. "It seems very--inhospitable," she said, "but I reckon I've got to ask you to go now." "Go? Why, I've just come!" "I know, but Miss North said you could stay fifteen minutes--that's all. I don't know how she ever happened to let me see you in the first place. I'm just a bit in disgrace this week." "I had a very pressing note from your aunt, that's why, I fancy. I sent it on up before I saw you. Miss Clyde said I was to see you; she doesn't usually mince matters." They both laughed. "She certainly does not," Blue Bonnet admitted. "Couldn't you ask to have the time extended?" Alec looked wistful. "Why, I haven't given you half the messages from the ranch yet." "I might try. I'll see." She came back in a few minutes with Miss North. "Miss Ashe tells me that you have just come from her home in Texas," Miss North said. "I can quite appreciate how much you have to tell her of her friends. Perhaps you would stay and dine with us?" Alec seemed a bit embarrassed. To dine among so many girls was not as alluring as it sounded. "Oh, do, Alec--please!" Blue Bonnet insisted. Blue Bonnet was invited to sit at Miss North's table for the occasion. The Seniors sat at Miss North's table, so Alec had Blue Bonnet next to him, and Annabel opposite--an embarrassment of riches.