"Do you recall my promise in Gridley, Miss Bentley---that I would invite you to my first hop as soon as I was eligible to attend one ?" "Yes," nodded Laura smilingly.
"This is my first hop," Dick said, smilingly.
"Mine, too," affirmed Anstey.
"Gracious!" laughed Belle merrily.

"I hope you both know how to dance." "We put in weary lessons as plebes, under the dancing master," laughed Dick.
"But you danced well in Gridley," protested Laura.
"Thank you.

But the style is a bit different at West Point." "You make me uneasy," pouted Belle.
"Then that uneasiness will vanish by the time you are half through with the first number." "There comes Mr.Holmes," discovered Laura.

"What a remarkably pretty girl with him." "Mr.Griffin's sister," said Dick.
"Isn't that Mr.Dodge ?" murmured Laura.
Dick only half turned, but his sidelong glance covered the doorway.
"Yes; he appears to be stagging it." Bert presently disappeared.

As a cadet always claims the first number or two with the young lady whom he has "dragged" hither, "staggers" have to wait until later in the programme.
Then, presently the music for the opening dance struck up.