"You will see
enough of them. It is their duty to introduce poor fellows who
want partners."
I did not see much of them, however, that evening. As soon as
I was released from that dance, Captain Percival brought up
Captain Lascelles; and somebody else, Mr. Sandford, I believe,
introduced Lt. Vaux, and Major Fairbairn; and Major Pitt was
another, I believe. And Colonel Walruss brought up his son,
who was in the corps of cadets. They all wanted to dance with
me; so it was lucky Mr. Thorold had secured his second dance,
or I could not have given it to him. I went over and over
again the same succession of topics, in the intervals of
standing still. How the day had been warm, and the evening
kept up its character; the hotels were full now; the cadets
well off to have so many ladies; dancing a pleasant pastime,
and West Point a nice place. I got so accustomed to the
remarks I might expect, that my mouth was ready with an
assenting "yes" before the speaker began. But the talking was
a small part of the business after all; and the evening went
merrily for me, till on a sudden a shrill piercing summons of
drum and fife, rolling as it were into our very ears, put a
stop to proceedings.
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