"Mammy, you don't eat," said Magnus, beginning on another small pie. "You might venture--just a little. I think there'd be enough left for me." "My dear, I have too much," said the mother. "Magnus, don't eat any more of that pie; it is not Cherry's make, remember." "Don't I know it! But her pies are across the continent, worse luck. It is good the know-nothing girls here don't try their hand. Shade of Scipio Africanus, what a poisoning of cadets there would be! Dr. Senna says that if it wasn't for Pretty Newcomb and her candy--with a sprained ankle now and then--he shouldn't have a man on the sick list." "Well, that is good," said Mrs. Kindred heartily; "the place must agree with you all. Magnus, do you know many people here?" "Three hundred cadets, more or less, and too many officers quite intimately," said Magnus, trying the cake. "Besides the bugler and the orderly." "Any ladies?" "Quite some." "I really do wish they taught English here," said poor Mrs. Kindred. "You are just as bad as ever, Magnus." "Worse!" But Magnus laughed up into her eyes with a look that to the mother negatived that. What eyes his were! And that reminded her. "Have you ever met a Miss Kitten?" "The cadets' 'pet Kitten'? Well, I should say I had, rather." "Magnus; I do not like to hear you talk so." "But that is what she is, mammy, so why shouldn't I say it?" "Always speak respectfully about women, my dear." "Women? Well, let her pass for that," said Magnus, unconsciously quoting Portia. "You do know her then?" "Enough to take off my cap when I meet her and walk while she talks," said Magnus. "Why mammy, what makes you so curious about the Kitten?" "I am interested in anyone you know." Mrs. Kindred went on, silently putting the remains of the feast into the basket. Magnus, leaning on one elbow, watched the hands that did their work so quietly and well. Then he bent down and kissed first one hand and then the other, touching them with cheek as well as lips. And Mrs. Kindred left her basket, and coaxed his head down on her lap, softly stroking and caressing it. Magnus drew a long, deep breath. "Mammy," he said, "they don't grow beds of Roses and Violets out here, nor anywhere, I guess, but at home." "It is you that have to grow 'out here,' Magnus." "Yes'm. How much?" said Magnus; "I'm a good half-inch taller already." "Dear me!" said Mrs. Kindred, quoting her favourite lines: "It is not growing like a tree That makes man better be." "A whole half-inch, Magnus?" Magnus laughed. "Ah, mammy," he said, "you can't keep dark worth a cent. Truly, a whole half-inch. Call it three-quarters." "I must remember and tell the girls," said Mrs. Kindred. "Yes, don't forget," said Magnus ironically. "Charge your memory, and tie a red string round every finger. Then tell 'em the first minute they meet you at the station, mother, and have it off your mind." "You are a _very_ saucy boy," said Mrs. Kindred, trying to look grave.