Dick, of course, walked with Laura, while Greg and Belle remained at a discreet, out-of-earshot distance.
At last they stood again by the gateway through the shrubbery at the edge of the hotel grounds.
"Dick-----" began Laura hesitatingly.
"Yes ?" asked the young cadet captain.
"Dick, no matter how far your classmates push this matter," begged Laura, her eyes big and earnest, "don't let their acts force you out of the Army.

No matter what happens---stick!" Cadet Prescott shook his head wearily.

"I can't stick," he replied firmly, "if I am shown that my presence in the Army is not going to be for the good and the harmony of the service!" Laura sighed.

Another keen pang of disappointment, was hers.
She now believed that her influence over Dick Prescott was not anywhere near as strong as she had hoped it would be.
A very wretched girl rested her head on a pillow that night, and slept but poorly.
In the forenoon, while the corps was absent on an infantry practice march, Laura, her mother and her friend went dejectedly away from West Point..