Nor did the young people leave until after six o'clock.
Greg escorted Belle Meade home, Dick walking with Laura.

The two cadet chums met on Main Street a little later.

They stood near a corner, chatting, when Bert Dodge came unexpectedly around the corner.
He saw the two cadets, changed color, then halted.
Neither Dick nor Greg checked their conversation, nor let it be known that they were aware of the ex-cadet's presence.
But Dodge, after looking at the chums sourly for a moment, stepped squarely in front of them.
"See here, you fellows-----" he began, his voice sounding thickly.
"Have you the impudence to address us," asked Prescott coolly.
"Don't talk to me about impudence!" snarled Dodge.

"What did you two say about me, after I left this afternoon ?" "Oh, I assure you we didn't discuss you any more than was necessary," replied Dick frigidly.
"What did you say ?" insisted Dodge.
"We couldn't say much about you," Greg broke in icily.

"You know, you're hardly a fit subject for conversation." "See here, you two fellows," warned Bert angrily, "you want to be mighty careful what you say about me! Do you understand?
A single unfriendly word, that does any injury to my reputation, and I'll take it out of you." Prescott would not go to the length of sneering.