"Oh, _I'm_ responsible for that--and for any and every iniquity here committed, solely because I know our General too well to believe he would allow famishing damsels to faint for lack of sustenance." It was Mrs. Garrison, of course, who spoke. "I simply set Frank and his fellows to work, with the result that tea and biscuit, light and warmth, mirth and merriment, faith, hope and charity sprang up like magic in this gloomy old tent, and here we are still. Now, say you're glad I came, General, for these stupid boys--Oh! I quite forgot! Let me present the slaves of the lamp--the spirit lamp, General. Frank you know--too well, I dare say. Stand forth, vassal Number Two. This, General, is Captain Schuyler, a mite of a man physically--a Gothamite, in fact--but a tower of wit and wisdom when permitted to speak." (A diminutive youngster, with a head twice too big for his body, and a world of fun in his sparkling eyes, bowed elaborately to his commanding general, but prudently held his peace.) "Captain Schuyler, my dear General, meekly bears the crescent of the subsistence department on his beautifully high and unquestionably New York-made collars. He hasn't an idea on the subject of supplies except that commissary cigars are bad, but his senator said he had to have something and that's what he got. He'd rather be second lieutenant of regular infantry any day, but that was too high for him. _Here's_ a youth it fits to a 't'--Mr. William Gray of the --teenth Foot, whom I knew years ago when we were kids in the same camp, and whose best claim to your notice is that you knew his father. He says so, and hopes you'll forgive all his budding iniquities on the strength of it." The General nodded with a grin at the youngster who stood at Miss Lawrence's left, and then held up his hand for silence, shutting off further presentations. "I'll forgive anything but more chatter," said he, with a placid smile, "provided you give me some tea at once. Then I should be glad to know how you all happened to meet here." "My doing entirely, General. (Frank, another cup--quick!) Cherry came with me to surprise my husband--an easy thing to do--I'm always doing it. We found him here, by your orders, striving to entertain these two charming damsels--the last thing on earth he is capable of doing, however valuable he may be with orders and correspondence. _I_ heard Mr. Prime's story and at once suggested Colonel Armstrong. _I_ heard Miss Lawrence exclaim at sight of Billy here, and saw a case of old acquaintance and sent for him forthwith. So easy to say: 'The adjutant-general's compliments'--_I_ found that, after all, they had never met, but Miss Lawrence had seen him at the head of some famous student company. _I_ it was who presented him to her, and summoned Captain Schuyler to meet once more his fellow-citizens, the Primes. _I_ it was who ordered lamps, fire and the tea things. _I_ am the good fairy who wrought the transformation. Behold me with my wand!"