"Release!" The word jarred on the mother's ear; to what had she sent her boy? But then, whatever it was, it agreed with him splendidly; never had she seen Magnus in more jocund health and strength; life at its best was in every look and motion. And the eyes that flashed and sparkled at her were not the least in the world careworn or overworked. So Mrs. Kindred locked up all her dismayed pangs and questionings, and once more stroking her boy's cropped head, remarked that it was said to make the hair grow to cut it. "I'll have a mop when I come out, then," said Magnus. "How does Cherry wear her hair now? same old way?" "Oh yes!" said Mrs. Kindred; "only it's never twice just the same. You know her curls arrange themselves--as yours used to, Magnus." "Disarrange was the word for me. If anybody cuts hers off, I'll shoot him." "I think somebody did cut one off once, without being shot," said Mrs. Kindred. Magnus coloured. "That was only one," he said. "Why didn't you bring them all along? The girls, I mean." "Why, you unreasonable boy," said his mother; "you expressly bade me not." "I had been here so long, I forgot that you always minded," said Magnus, with a saucy look. "Well, I did _not_ always," said Mrs. Kindred; "but the girls could not have come off in such a moment, Magnus; they were not ready." "Girls never are. They'd learn, if they had a week or two in camp. Bang goes the reveille gun--and in just two minutes you have to be dressed and out in line, swearing that 'Kindred, C.' is present and accounted for." "Swearing, Magnus?" "Well, some of the men make the statement pretty loud. I am one of the mild kind, and 'roar gently.'" "Yes, I know what your gentle roars amount to," said his mother derisively. "But Magnus, do they really make you dress in two minutes?" "By my watch." "But you haven't got a watch," said the perplexed mother. "And therefore am subject now and then to miscalculations." "Well, West Point has not changed you yet, to hurt," said the mother, smiling at him. Magnus took her tender hands and put one on each side of his face. "Mammy," he said, "it is the jolliest thing to see you sitting there, puzzling your dear head over my grinds. I could cry, if I wanted to. But I say, when you do bring the girls, don't give 'em time to get ready. They shan't come here looking as if they'd never had anything before, but had got it now, sure." "But our girls have always had enough, you know, Magnus, and they are not likely to have any more," said Mrs. Kindred, cutting both knots. "They are worth all the girls I have seen here, multiplied by twelve dozen," said Magnus. "Oh, mother, why didn't they come! But I tell you, you'll have your hands full when they do. Violet will make a sensation. And Rose--I think True will be fathom deep at first sight of Rose; he likes quiet, sweet, strong girls." "I should think most people would," said Mrs. Kindred. "And how about Cherry?" "I said nothing about Cherry."