As the music came to an end the High School boys filled their lungs for a mighty cheer.  Quick as a flash, however, the leader of the orchestra tapped his baton, then swung it once more, and the instruments leaped on into: 

“Columbia, the gem of the ocean!”

That was for the Navy, of course, and one didn’t have to keep quiet, either.  Words of the song, and cheers, mingled with the musicians’ strains.

And then it wound up in a cheer and a mad rush of yelling that must have been heard for a mile.

An impromptu reception and hand shaking followed, but to Dick and Dave, and their partners, it had more the look of a mob.

It was a joyous and big-hearted mob, though, and in time it quieted down.  After a very long interruption the dancing started again, and Dick and Dave were able to whirl away with their partners.

As the next dance after that, started there was a sudden halt by many of the couples, and soon a roar of laughter ascended.  For the orchestra had chosen, as the air, “The Girl I Left Behind Me.”

This air will always be associated with the United Service—–­the Army and Navy.  It is a rollicking, jolly, spirited old tune, as it needs must be for “The Girl I Left Behind Me” is the tune that is played when the country’s defenders, in war time, are marching away for the front, after just having said the last goodbye to mother, sister and sweetheart.

Just now, however, the old air had none of the tragic connected with it.  It was all in the spirit of fun.  Laura, blushing furiously, and Belle striving to appear wholly unconscious, but striving too hard, lent all the more merriment to the moment.

“It’s that confounded old idiot, Tom Reade,” muttered Dave to his partner.  “I wonder how many more such tricks he knows!”

Presently came “The Army Lancers,” and that brought out a right royal good cheer.  Two numbers after that, came “A Life on the Ocean Wave,” and more cheers.

It was after three in the morning when the gay affair broke up.  But who cared for that?  Class balls come but once a year.

Right after “Home, Sweet Home,” which wound up the ball, the orchestra added a number, “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Both Dick and Dave reached home pretty thoroughly tired out, after having seen their girl friends home.  Neither boy rose much before noon the day following.

Dick and Dave remained enrolled at High School until the Christmas Holidays, then dropped out, having ended the term.

Each boy had other studies with which he wished to busy himself—–­studies that would have a direct bearing on the stiff entrance examinations at West Point and Annapolis.  The rest of their time, until they reported at their respective National Academies, they intended to devote to these other studies to make doubly sure of their success.

Dick’s notification from the Secretary of War arrived on Christmas morning.