There will be a great mob. I hear you have issued many
invitations."
"We hope all our friends will come. It's going to be a great function.
Your Secretary of the Navy has promised to look in on us, and our
Ambassador from Washington will be there. I assure you we are doing
our best, with festooned electric lights, hanging draperies, and all
that, for we want to make the occasion at least remotely worthy of the
hospitality we have received. Of course you have your card, but I wish
you hadn't, so that I might have the privilege of sending you one or
more invitations."
"That would be quite unnecessary," said the girl, again with a slight
laugh and heightened color.
"If any of your friends need cards of invitation, won't you let me
know, so that I may send them to you?"
"I'm sure I shan't need any, but if I do, I promise to remember your
kindness, and apply."
"It will be a pleasure for me to serve you. With whom shall you come?
I should like to know the name, in case I should miss you in the
crowd."
"I expect to be with Captain Kempt, of the United States Navy."
"Ah," said the Lieutenant, with a note of disappointment in his voice
which he had not the diplomacy to conceal. His hold of her hand
relaxed, and she took the opportunity to withdraw it.
"What sort of a man is Captain Kempt? I shall be on the lookout for
him, you know."
"I think he is the handsomest man I have ever seen, and I know he is
the kindest and most courteous.
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