The third time a sigh full of bitterness escaped him.
"This is the meanest minute in my life," he declared.

"It is time to say good-bye, for we must get back to camp and into full-dress uniform for parade." "But shall we not see you after parade?
asked Laura, looking up quickly, an odd look flitting over her face.
"No; we are soldiers, and move by schedule," signed Dick.

"After parade there will be other duties, then supper.

And you are going at the end of parade!" Bravely Prescott faced the farewells, though he knew more of the wrench than even Laura could have guessed.
"But you will come again in winter ?" he murmured in a low voice to Laura.
"If mother permits," she answered, looking down at her boot tip, then up again, smiling, into his face.
"Mrs Bentley, you'll bring the girls here again, this winter, won't you ?" appealed Dick.
"If Dr.Bentley and Belle's parents approve, I'll try to," answered the matron.
Then came the leave-takings, brief and open.

With a final lifting of their caps Dick and the others turned and strode down the path.
Laura and Belle gazed after them until the young men had disappeared into the encampment.
But you may be sure the girls were over on the parade ground by the time that the good old gray battalion had turned out and marched over, forming in battalion front.
It was a beautiful sight.