And we all acclaimed her.
As for Major Parr, that campaign-battered veteran had out his tablets and was painfully copying the verses--he being no scholar--while Boyd read them aloud to us all again in most excellent taste, and Lois laughed and blushed, protesting that her modest effort was not worthy such consideration.
"Egad!" said Major Parr loudly.

"I maintain that verses such as these are worth a veteran battalion to any army on earth! You are an aid, an honour, and an inspiration to your country, Miss de Contrecoeur, and I shall take care that His Excellency receives a copy of these same verses----" "Oh, Major Parr!" she protested in dismay.

"I should perish with shame if His Excellency were to be so beset by every sorry scribbler." "A copy for His Excellency! Hurrah!" cried Captain Simpson.

"Who volunteers ?" "I will make it," said I, with jealous authority.
"And I will aid you with quill, sand, and paper," said Lana.

"Come with me, Euan." Lois, who had at first smiled at me, now looked at us both, while the smile stiffened on her flushed face as Lana caught me by the hand and drew me toward the other room where the pine camp-table stood.
While I was writing in my clear and painstaking chirography, which I try not to take a too great pride in because of its fine shading and skillful flourishes, the guests of the afternoon were making their adieux and taking their departure, some afoot, others on horseback.
When I had finished my copy and had returned to the main room, nothing remained of the afternoon party save Boyd and Lana, whispering together by a window, and the black wench, Gusta, clearing away the debris of the afternoon.
Outside in the late sunshine, I could see Mrs.Bleecker and Mrs.
Lansing strolling to and fro, arm in arm, but I looked around in vain for Lois.
"She is doubtless gone a-boating with her elegant senior Ensign," said Lana sweetly, from the window.