Lanham had done wonders with their best uniforms.
When they were dressed in them they felt that it was no harder to charge
the Curtis house than to rush a battery.
"You young men go early," said Mr. Lanham. "Mrs. Lanham and I will
appear later."
They departed, daring to practice their dance steps in the street to the
delight of small boys who did not hesitate to chaff them. But Harry
and Dalton did not care. They answered the chaff in kind, and soon
approached the Curtis home, all the windows of which were blazing with
light.
The house stood in extensive grounds, and lofty white pillars gave it an
imposing appearance. Guests were arriving fast. Most of the men were
military, but there was a fair sprinkling of civilians nevertheless.
The lads saw their friends of the Mosaic Club pass in just ahead of them,
all dressed with extreme care. Generals and colonels and other officers
were in most favor now, but these men, with their swift and incisive wit
and their ability to talk well about everything, fully made up for the
lack of uniform.
Harry and Dalton, before passing through the side gateway that led to the
house, paused awhile to look at those who came. Many people, and they
ranked among the best in Richmond, walked.
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