“Dear, dear!” continued Thorne urbanely; “I didn’t suppose there was anybody in the War Office who wanted to fight!” “And why not, sir?” asked Lieutenant Maxwell haughtily, while Edith barely stifled a laugh, and her mother even smiled. “Well, if he wanted to fight, he’d hardly be in an office at a time like this, would he?” Captain Thorne’s sarcasm seemed to perturb the youngster, but his good breeding got the better of his annoyance. “I’d better not tell him that, Captain,” he said with a great effort at lightness; “he would certainly insist upon having you out.” “That would be too bad,” said the Captain. “It might interfere with his office hours and——” “He doesn’t believe it, Miss Varney,” said Maxwell, turning to the younger woman, “but it is certainly true. I dare say you know the gentleman——” “Please don’t, Lieutenant,” interrupted Edith quickly. “I would rather not talk about it, if you please.” “Of course,” said Maxwell, “I didn’t know there was anything——” “Yes,” said Edith. “Let’s talk about something else. You know there is always the weather to fall back on——” “I should say so,” laughed the Lieutenant, “and mighty bad weather for us, too.” “Yes, isn’t it?” They turned away, talking and laughing somewhat constrainedly, while Mrs. Varney picked up the note that was still lying on the table. “From your note, I suppose you are leaving us immediately, Captain Thorne. Your orders have come?” “Yes, Mrs. Varney,” said the Captain. “I am afraid this must be the last of my pleasant calls.” “Isn’t it rather sudden? Are you quite well? It seems to me they ought to give you a little more time to recover.” “I have no doubt that I am, or feel, much better than I look,” said the Captain, “and we have to be ready for anything, you know. I have been idle too long already.” “Yes, I suppose so,” said Mrs. Varney. “Well, it has been a great pleasure to have you call upon us. When you are away, we shall greatly miss your visits.” “Thank you; I shall never forget what they have been to me.” “Lieutenant Maxwell is going, mamma,” said Edith. “So soon! Please excuse me a moment, Captain. I am very sorry you have to hurry away, Lieutenant; we shall hope for the pleasure of seeing you again, if your duties permit.” “I shall certainly avail myself of your invitation, if you will allow me.” He saluted Captain Thorne. “Good-evening, sir.” Thorne, of course, returned the courteous salute of his junior. “Lieutenant Maxwell,” he said pleasantly, as Mrs. Varney followed Lieutenant Maxwell into the hall. “Now remember, you are to come some time when duty doesn’t call you away so soon,” she said, as he bowed himself out. “Trust me not to forget that, Mrs. Varney,” said the Lieutenant, as he disappeared on the porch.