eight o'clock on Christmas Eve
and Kettle invariably explained : `` He 's a-tryin ' to say ` Mr. Boosard . ' '' At this Broussard would laugh and agree with Kettle that the After-Clap was the knowingest baby in the world , and Anita would blush beautifully . Colonel Fortescue 's heart sank when he saw Broussard and Anita walking off together ; Broussard so trim and soldierly in his riding uniform and Anita so amazingly pretty in her blue habit and cap , cunningly imitating the cavalry uniform , a fetching dress adopted by all the young ladies who were to take part in the music ride . The drill and ride were to begin at eight o'clock on Christmas Eve , and afterward there was to be a big ball , for at Fort Blizzard the young girls and young officers ended everything with a ball , where they could `` chase the glowing hours with flying feet . '' A great silver moon and a mighty host of palpitating stars put the electric lights to shame on Christmas Eve . When Broussard called for Anita , a little before eight , she was waiting , already dressed in the pretty imitation of an officer 's uniform -- a costume that would make even a plain girl enchanting , and how much more so the violet-eyed Anita ? Mrs. Fortescue , in a beautiful ball gown , looked quite as handsome as her daughter .