"It's my Sunday School class," said the young lady, with difficult seriousness. "We're meeting every week. It won't annoy you too much, will it, father?"
THE first dance of the summer took place the following Saturday, and the entire feminine contingent immediately declared war on Miss Dolly Travers, who entered escorted by four cavaliers and subdivided each dance.
While others more fortunately endowed with rhythmic feet swayed and circled about the ballroom with the little Dresden china blonde, Skippy, who guarded in his arms a pink and white filmy scarf, glowered across the vacant chair at Puffy Ellis, who had been favored with the safekeeping of the favorite's fan.
"Jack, you're perfectly ridiculous," said Sister Clara, who did not relish the competition. "The idea of making a fool of yourself over a child of twelve that ought to be in bed long ago. Haven't you any pride?"
"Kitty, kitty," said Skippy softly. He could not be bothered with such things as sisters. His mind was made up. He glared over at Puffy and said to himself: "To-night I'll give him his choice. Either he gets off the horizon, or I tear the hide off him."
He would protect his rights in the good old-fashioned way, even if he had to thrash a dozen of them!
"Why, Jack!" said Dolly, whirling up at this moment, and sinking back into the scarf which he hurriedly draped about her. "You look like blood and thunder. You're not jealous, are you?"
"Lord, I'll dance by next Saturday," said Skippy miserably, "or break a leg."
"Foolish boy, of course you must dance! If I sit this out with you, will it make you feel any better?"
"We'll go on the porch and you'll try a one-step. Oh, no one will see. Gracious! Don't look so terrified."
Skippy's answer was something between a gulp and a gurgle.
"Don't you want _me_ to teach you?" said Dolly in the velvetiest voice in the world.
"I'll try; I'll try anything you say," he said, breathing hard, "only I say, Dolly, remember a cart-horse has done more dancing than I ever have."
"The two-step is frightfully easy--you'll see," said the young lady when they had reached the dark end of the piazza. "It's just one-two to music. Put your arm around me!"
"You goose! How can you dance if you don't?" said Dolly in a cool professional manner. "Take my hand. So! Now just walk in rhythm."