"I thought everyone from the academy would be in the Plaza." Juanito smiled, caressing his moustache; it was his favourite gesture, as it raised his arm, giving him the satisfaction of displaying the sleeve adorned with sergeant's stripes.

He was not a common cadet, he had his stripes, and though this did not seem much to one who dreamed of being a general, still it was a step in the right direction.

No; he did not go to bull-fights.

In truth he was an _habitue_ but he had sacrificed himself in order to talk for a whole afternoon with his sweetheart at the door of her house in the silence of the Claverias.
The grandmother had gone down into the garden, and "Virgin's Blue" would not be long in going out and leaving the coast clear, as if the matter in no way concerned him.

"The beautiful evening, friend Gabriel!" He had far more serious and important affairs than the new comers at the academy, who spent all their Sundays at the cafes, or walking up and down like fools--everyone at the academy, even the professors, envied him his sweetheart.
"And when is the wedding to be ?" said Gabriel gaily.
Master Stripes looked most important as he replied: "There were many things to be done before--first of all to bring his uncle to consent, which might not be easy, and to follow the guiding of his good star to attain a certain rank; but he was intended for great things, so it was only a matter of a few years.
"I, friend Luna, am of the stuff of young generals; it is the good luck of the family.