Dick had already presented Furlong, a "stagger," to Mrs.Bentley, so that she was not left alone.

Furlong had asked the pleasure of a dance with Laura's mother, but Mrs.Bentley, with instinctive tact, realized that the older women did not often dance at cadet hops.

So she begged Mr.Furlong to remain with her and tell her about the cadet hops.
As the music struck up, and Dick bent before her, he thrilled with the grace and unaffected friendliness with which Laura rose and rested one hand on his shoulder.

She was a woman, and a magnificent one! Away they whirled, Anstey and Belle following.
"I greatly enjoyed the High School hops of former days," sighed Laura, "but this is finer." "Same escort," murmured Dick.
"Same name, but in many ways much changed," laughed Miss Bentley.
"Dick, I am so glad you came to West Point." "So am I," he answered simply.
The first two numbers they danced together, then changed partners for the third dance.

Between times, Greg had appeared with Miss Griffin and introductions had followed.