KATE and Jermyn were so happy in each other's society, now that they had not to pay attention to a lot of acquaintances, that they agreed with the hero of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Mikado" that each second was a minute, each minute an hour, each hour a day, and each day a year. Nevertheless, after the illogical manner of lovers, no sooner was the last half of the week under way than they began to complain that each day seemed only an hour long.  
"Must you really go at the end of your week?" asked Kate. "Does a week, in military , mean a week—no more, no less?"
 
"Exactly and mathematically a week," sighed Jermyn. "Tis even worse in our case, for the week includes the time I spent in reaching here, the time I will spend in returning, and the day I started, but was taken back by the Admiral."
 
"Oh!" exclaimed Kate, after a startled look, "that means that you must start back to-morrow!"
 
"It does indeed. I've gone over it by every applicable rule of arithmetic, but I can find no other solution."
 
 
Kate at once became so that she could not talk much, and Jermyn, remembering the ways of his mother and sisters when they had trouble on their minds, suggested that there could be no better time to make his good-bye call upon the Highwoods; he assured himself that a short chat with sympathetic women would enable Kate to bear her trouble more bravely. He got his reward, for Trif chatted so with him that he himself soon felt much better than he had dared hope, so he felt correspondingly grateful, and wished he might do something in return for the good woman to whose interest he owed so much of his fortune in love. Suddenly there came to him a thought which he voiced at once.
 
"Mrs. Highwood, I shall go back by way of Washington. I'm greatly your ; I needn't go into particulars, but wouldn't you like to spend a few hours in Washington? You couldn't have a better guide than I, and—"
 
"'Twould be splendid!" Trif exclaimed. "But you wouldn't be so heartless as to leave Kate behind?"
 
"I'm greatly obliged for the suggestion."
 
"And," continued Trif, who had been thinking rapidly, "would it be dreadful of me to take Trixy also? She has long been wild to see the 'Baby of the White House,' and by some lucky accident she might get a peep at that fortunate child."
 
"It might not be difficult; I've had the honor of meeting the baby's mother, in other years, and am sure she would be delighted to meet a woman like Trixy's mother."
 
 
"We will go," said Trif. "I shan't have to wait to consult Phil, for he asked me why I didn't improve my opportunity to see Washington during our return trip from Old Point."
 
A cheerful party of four started for Washington the next afternoon, and on the morning Jermyn busied himself in showing the ladies the sights of the capital. But Washington is a large city, and time did fly so rapidly—to Kate and Jermyn, for the latter would be obliged to take the night train for Fort Monroe.
 
Trixy saw the baby of the White House, and it with her eyes, and asked it questions about its dolls, while two fond mothers looked and listened. The call was short, but, as the party made their adieus, Trixy slipped back and said to the lady of the house:
 
"Your husband can do anything he likes with soldiers, can't he?"
 
"That depends," was the reply. "Why do you ask?"
 
"'Cause I wish he would make Jermyn go back to New York with us. I'm sure Miss Trewman wishes so too, 'cause they're only just engaged, and he's only been in New York a week, and——"
 
"There goes the only man who could manage an affair of that kind," said the lady, pointing to an alert-looking gentleman who was approaching the house.
 
"Thank you, very much."
 
"Where is Trixy?" asked Trif, as the party passed through the . "Why, there she is, talking to a stranger! How the child has [Pg 190]lost her manners! Mr. Jermyn, won't you kindly bring her back?"
 
Jermyn hurried to the rescue, and was somewhat astonished to see that the gentleman with whom Trixy was talking was the Secretary of War.
 
"Mr. Jermyn!" said the Secretary. Jermyn .
 
"This young lady has been telling me an interesting story. By the way, there are to be some new guns tested at Sandy Hook, New York harbor, in a day or two. It might be of use to some of the classes at the fort if an officer from there were to observe the tests and take back a report. Would your own studies be if you were to remain absent a week or ten days longer?"
 
"Not in the least," Jermyn replied, with the promptness becoming a soldier.
 
"Call at the Department some time this afternoon, then, for your detail. I'll send a copy of it to your commanding officer, and you will report by letter to him, so that you may be recalled if necessary. Will you do me the honor to introduce me to this young lady?"
 
"With pleasure. Miss Highwood, allow me to present the Honorable the Secretary of War."
 
"What a long name!" exclaimed Trixy, with a curtesy.
 
"I'm sorry, Miss Highwood, that my time won't allow me to show you special attention while you are here, but I hope we may meet again. Good day. Mr. Jermyn, I wish you a pleasant trip!"
 
 
Jermyn hurried the child back to her mother, who said:
 
"I hope, Mr. Jermyn, that you apologized to the gentleman for Trixy's rudeness?"
 
"I hadn't the opportuni............