to dance with me; but I like those boys over there, and I ‘ll dance
with any of them if they are willing,” said Polly, after a survey.
“I ‘ll trot out the whole lot.” And Tom gladly brought up his
friends, who all admired Polly immensely, and were proud to be
chosen instead of the “big fellows.”
There was no sitting still for Polly after that, for the lads kept her
going at a great pace; and she was so happy, she never saw or
suspected how many little manoeuvres, heart-burnings, displays of
vanity, affectation, and nonsense were going on all round her. She
loved dancing, and entered into the gayety of the scene with a
heartiness that was pleasant to see. Her eyes shone, her face
glowed, her lips smiled, and the brown curls waved in the air, as
she danced, with a heart as light as her feet.
“Are you enjoying yourself, Polly?” asked Mr. Shaw, who looked
in, now and then, to report to grandma that all was going well.
“Oh, such a splendid time!” cried Polly, with an enthusiastic little
gesture, as she chass,ed into the corner where he stood.
“She is a regular belle among the boys,” said Fanny, as she
promenaded by.
“They are so kind in asking me and I ‘m not afraid of them,”
explained Polly, prancing, simply because she could n’t keep still.
“So you are afraid of the young gentlemen, hey?” and Mr. Shaw
held her by one curl.
“All but Mr. Sydney. He don’t put on airs and talk nonsense; and,
oh! he does ‘dance like an angel,’ as Trix says.”
“Papa, I wish you ‘d come and waltz with me. Fan told me not to
go near her, ’cause my wed dwess makes her pink one look ugly;
and Tom won’t; and I want to dwedfully.”
“I ‘ve forgotten how, Maudie. Ask Polly; she ‘ll spin you round like
a teetotum.” “Mr. Sydney’s name is down for that,” answered
Polly, looking at her fan with a pretty little air of importance.” But
I guess he would n’t mind my taking poor Maud instead. She has
n’t danced hardly any, and I ‘ve had more than my share. Would it
be very improper to change my mind?” And Polly looked up at her
tall partner with eye which plainly showed that the change was a
sacrifice.
“Not a bit. Give the little dear a good waltz, and we will look on,”
answered Mr. Sydney, with a nod and smile.
“That is a refreshing little piece of nature,” said Mr. Shaw, as Polly
and Maud whirled away.
“She will make a charming little woman, if she is n’t spoilt.”
“No danger of that. She has got a sensible mother.”
“I thought so.” And Sydney sighed, for he had lately lost his own
good mother.
When supper was announced, Polly happened to be talking, or
trying to talk, to one of the “poky” gentlemen whom Fan had
introduced. He took Miss Milton down, of course, put her in a
corner, and having served her to a dab of ice and one macaroon, he
devoted himself to his own supper with such interest, that Polly
would have fared badly, if Tom had not come and rescued her.
“I ‘ve been looking everywhere for you. Come with me, and don’t
sit starving here,” said Tom, with a scornful look from her empty
plate to that of her recreant escort, which was piled with good
things.
Following her guide, Polly was taken to the big china closet,
opening from the dining-room to the kitchen, and here she found a
jovial little party feasting at ease. Maud and her bosom friend,
“Gwace,” were seated on tin cake-boxes; Sherry and Spider
adorned the refrigerator; while Tom and Rumple foraged for the
party.
Here ‘s fun,” said Polly, as she was received with a clash of spoons
and a waving of napkins.
“You just perch on that cracker-keg, and I ‘ll see that you get
enough,” said Tom, putting a dumbwaiter before her, and issuing
his orders with a fine air of authority.
“We are a band of robbers in our cave, and I ‘m the captain; and we