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.