"I guess we are a bit early," observed Dick. "But we wanted to make sure we wouldn't be late, and it's a long drive over."
"You are not a bit too early," answered Dora, and gave him her dainty hand which he squeezed ardently.
Soon the boys were piling out on the ground, and a general handshaking followed. Those who did not know each other were introduced, and everybody walked into the house, where a room upstairs had been prepared for the cadets' reception.
"Now, everyone must feel perfectly at home," said Mrs. Stanhope, who was being assisted by Mrs. Laning and Mr. Laning. The older folks prepared the refreshments while the young people sat down in the parlor and the sitting room.
At first, as at all parties, there was a little stiffness, but this was soon broken by Tom asking in a solemn voice:
"Say, did anybody bring an iceberg in his pocket? If he did he will please set it on the kitchen stove to thaw out."
"Oh, Tom!" shrieked Nellie, and all the girls giggled. Then the "ice was broken" and everybody started to talk at once. Even William Philander was pleased, for he had discovered a tall, willowy girl who exactly suited him and who thought him charming.
