splendid fort was a shut-in place, the people in it made great
preparations for Christmas, if only to forget that they were shut in.
The Christmas Eve exhibition drill and music ride was to be the
principal event of the season, and, wonder of wonders, Anita was to
ride with Broussard at the music ride. This was not accomplished
without pleadings and even tears from Anita. Mrs. Fortescue took no
part in this affair between the Colonel and the adored of his heart;
Anita and the Colonel had always settled their problems between
themselves solely. Sergeant McGillicuddy had something to do with
wringing from the Colonel his consent that Anita should ride with
Broussard.

"Accordin' to my way of thinkin', Mr. Broussard is the best rider of
all the young orficers, sir," said McGillicuddy to the Colonel, in the
seclusion of the office. "Miss Anita, she'd look mighty pretty ridin'
with him, and Pretty Maid is as quiet as a lamb, sir, under the saddle.
I wouldn't answer for her in shafts, sir. Lord! There's nothin' too
devilish for a horse to do in shafts, or hitched to a pole. Missis
McGillicuddy can't see it in this light, judgin' from the Christmas
gift she's preparin' to give me."

"What is it, McGillicuddy?" asked the Colonel.

"It's a buggy, sir," answered the Sergeant despondently. "When I
wanted to enlist in the aviation corps that woman, sir, forbid it; she
said to me, 'Patrick McGillicuddy, I never did believe one word about
your bein' afraid av horses in wheeled vehicles.' An' ivery time I go
up in a flyin' machine, just for the fun av it, Missis McGillicuddy,
she says to me 'Patrick, if they was to lop off the f from that flyin'
machine, it would fit you to a t, bedad!' And that's the way she talks