"What splendid, manly young fellows!" breathed Laura admiringly
to Belle. Her mother, too, heard.

"Be careful, Laura," advised her mother, smilingly. "Don't lose
your heart to a scrap of gray cloth and a brass button."

"Don't fear," smiled Miss Bentley happily. "When I lose my heart
it shall be to a man! And how many of them we see here tonight
mother!"

Nearly with the precision of a marching platoon the two young
men halted before the ladies. Yet there was nothing of stiff
formality about either Prescott or Anstey. They stood before
their friends, chatting lightly.

"Tell us about some of the other hops that you have attended before,"
begged Belle Meade.

"But we haven't attended any," Dick replied. "Do you recall my
promise in Gridley, Miss Bentley---that I would invite you to
my first hop as soon as I was eligible to attend one?"

"Yes," nodded Laura smilingly.

"This is my first hop," Dick said, smilingly.

"Mine, too," affirmed Anstey.

"Gracious!" laughed Belle merrily. "I hope you both know how