fragrant little rose in the middle; the third, a small posy of scarlet
verbenas, white feverfew, and green leaves.
“Not hard to guess. The smart one for Fan, the sweet one for Polly,
and the gay one for Pug. Now, then, catch hold, girls.” And Tom
proceeded to deliver the nosegays, with as much grace as could be
expected from a youth in a new suit of clothes and very tight boots.
“That finishes you off just right, and is a very pretty attention of
papa’s. Now run down, for the bell has rung; and remember, not to
dance too often, Fan; be as quiet as you can, Tom; and. Maud,
don’t eat too much supper. Grandma will attend to things, for my
poor nerves won’t allow me to come down.”
With that, Mrs. Shaw dismissed them, and the four descended to
receive the first batch of visitors, several little girls who had been
asked for the express purpose of keeping Maud out of her sister’s
way. Tom had likewise been propitiated, by being allowed to bring
his three bosom friends, who went by the school-boy names of
Rumple, Sherry, and Spider.
“They will do to make up sets, as gentlemen are scarce; and the
party is for Polly, so I must have some young folks on her
account,” said Fanny, when sending out her invitations.
Of course, the boys came early, and stood about in corners,
looking as if they had more arms and legs than they knew what to
do with. Tom did his best to be a good host; but ceremony
oppressed his spirits, and he was forced to struggle manfully with
the wild desire to propose a game of leap-frog, for the long
drawing-rooms, cleared for dancing, tempted him sorely.
Polly sat where she was told, and suffered bashful agonies as Fan
introduced very fine young ladies and very stiff young gentlemen,
who all said about the same civil things, and then appeared to
forget all about her. When the first dance was called, Fanny
cornered Tom, who had been dodging her, for he knew what she
wanted, and said, in an earnest whisper: “Now, Tom, you must
dance this with Polly. You are the young gentleman of the house,
and it ‘s only proper that you should ask your company first.”
“Polly don’t care for manners. I hate dancing; don’t know how. Let
go my jacket, and don’t bother, or I ‘ll cut away altogether,”
growled Tom, daunted by the awful prospect of opening the ball
with Polly.
“I ‘ll never forgive you if you do. Come, be clever, and help me,
there ‘s a dear. You know we both were dreadfully rude to Polly,
and agreed that we ‘d be as kind and civil to her as ever we could. I
shall keep my word, and see that she is n’t slighted at my party, for
I want her to love me, and go home feeling all right.”
This artful speech made an impression on the rebellious Thomas,
who glanced at Polly’s happy face, remembered his promise, and,
with a groan, resolved to do his duty.
“Well, I ‘ll take her; but I shall come to grief, for I don’t know
anything about your old dances.”
“Yes, you do. I ‘ve taught you the steps a dozen times. I ‘m going to
begin with a redowa, because the girls like it, and it ‘s better fun
than square dances. Now, put on your gloves, and go and ask Polly
like a gentleman.”
“Oh, thunder!” muttered Tom. And having split the detested gloves
in dragging them on, he nerved himself for the effort, walked up to
Polly, made a stiff bow, stuck out his elbow, and said, solemnly,
“May I have the pleasure, Miss Milton?”
He did it as much like the big fellows as he could, and expected
that Polly would be impressed. But she was n’t a bit; for after a
surprised look she laughed in his face, and took him by the hand,
saying, heartily, “Of course you may; but don’t be a goose,
Tommy.”
“Well, Fan told me to be elegant, so I tried to,” whispered Tom,
adding, as he clutched his partner with a somewhat desperate air,