Then she turned her eyes on Mr. Shockley with a hard little expression, which sealed him up. He was prompt to feel that the challenge meant war, and war with this girl was the far-away swing of that gallant strategic pendulum. "Yes," Shockley added, "one is apt to drop things without noting them, in a fast rush. I dropped something myself this morning." "Pray what was it, Mr. Shockley?" "It was an idea," he replied with a shrug of the shoulders. "An idea?" laughed she, appreciating Shockley's discretion. "I hope you have more of them than I have gloves." "I have only one," he sighed. "Are all soldiers as stupid as you are, my dear sir?" "All under thirty, I am sorry to say," and this from Shockley too. Miss Searles applied the whip; but go as she would, the two officers did not lose again the idea, but kept their places beside her. "You are not very steady under fire," laughed Shockley. "You are such an absurd person." "I may be a blessing in disguise." "You may be; I am unable to identify you." "The chaperon is waving her whip at us, Miss Searles," cautioned Butler. "Private O'Dowd is my chaperon, and he can stand the pace," she replied. The young woman drove on, leaving a pall of dust behind, until the little party made the cantonment and drew rein in front of the Searleses' quarters. Giving her hand to the orderly, she dismissed her escort and disappeared. "Well, Katherine," said Mrs. Searles, "did you enjoy your ride?" "Yes, mother, but my horse is such an old poke I was nowhere in the race." "The Major says he is a safe horse; one which can be relied on, and that is more important than speed. I do not want your neck broken, my dear." "Neither do I want my neck broken, but I should like to be somewhere in sight during a run. The young officers desert me once a wolf is sighted; they forget their manners at the first flash of a greyhound." "I know, daughter, but what can you expect? They go out for that purpose." "Mr. Ermine doesn't, or at least he is polite enough to say that he goes out to see me run, and not the wolf. If he is not sophisticated, he seems to have the primitive instincts of a gentleman." "Mr. Ermine, forsooth!" And Madam Searles betrayed some asperity. "Is he presumptuous enough to present you with compliments? You had better maintain your distance." "He is a perfectly delightful man, mother; so thoughtful and so handsome." "Tut tut, Katherine; he is only an ordinary scout--a wild man." "I don't care; I like him." "Katherine, what are you thinking of?" "Oh, I don't know, mother; I am thinking what an absurd lot men are. They insist on talking nonsense at me. They do not seem to preserve their reserve; they are not a bit like the men back in the States."