Athomeherdresshadseemedbeautiful；butthatwasdifferent，too，wherethereweredozensofbrilliantfabrics，fashionedinnewways——someofthesenewwaysstartling，whichonlymadethewearerscentersofinterestandshockednoone。AndAlicerememberedthatshehadheardagirlsay，notlongbefore，"Oh，ORGANDIE!Nobodywearsorgandieforeveninggownsexceptinmidsummer。"Alicehadthoughtlittleofthis；butasshelookedaboutherandsawnoorgandieexceptherown，shefoundgreaterdifficultyinkeepinghersmileasarchandspontaneousasshewishedit。Infact，itwasbeginningtomakeherfaceachealittle。
　　Mildredcameinfromthecorridor，heavilyattended。Shecarriedagreatbouquetofvioletslacedwithliliesof-the-valley；andthevioletswerelusty，bigpurplethings，theirstemswrappedinclothofgold，withsilkencordsdependent，endinginlongtassels。SheandherconvoypassednearthetwoyoungAdamses；
　　anditappearedthatoneoftheconvoybesoughthishostesstopermit"cuttingin"；theywere"doingitotherplaces"oflate，heurged；buthewasdeniedandtoldtoconsolehimselfbyholdingthebouquet，atintervals，untilhisthirdofthesixteenthdanceshouldcome。Alicelookeddubiouslyatherownbouquet。
　　Suddenlyshefeltthatthevioletsbetrayedher；thatanyonewholookedatthemcouldseehowrustic，howinnocentofanyflorist'scrafttheywere"Ican'teatdeadviolets，"Waltersaid。Thelittlewildflowers，dyingindeedinthewarmair，weredroopinginaforlornmass；anditseemedtoherthatwhoevernoticedthemwouldguessthatshehadpickedthemherself。Shedecidedtogetridofthem。
　　Walterwasbecomingrestive。"Lookhere!"hesaid。"Can'tyouflagoneo'theselong-tailedbirdstotakeyouonforthenextdance？Youcametohaveagoodtime；whydon'tyougetbusyandhaveit？Iwanttogetoutandsmoke。"
　　"YouMUSTN'Tleaveme，Walter，"shewhispered，hastily。
　　"Somebody'llcomeformebeforelong，butuntiltheydo——"
　　"Well，couldn'tyousitsomewhere？"
　　"No，no!Thereisn'tanyoneIcouldsitwith。"
　　"Well，whynot？Lookatthoseoledamesinthecorners。What'sthematteryourtyin'upwithsomeo'themforawhile？"
　　"PLEASE，Walter；no!"
　　Infact，thatindomitablesmileofherswasthemoredifficulttomaintainbecauseoftheseveryelderstowhomWalterreferred。
　　Theyweremothersofgirlsamongthedancers，andtheyweretheretofendandcontrivefortheiroffspring；tokeepthemincountenancethroughanytrial；tolendthemdiplomacyinthecarryingoutofallenterprises；tobe"background"forthem；andintheseessentiallybiologicalfunctioningstoimitatetheirownmatingsandrenewtheexcitementoftheirnuptialperiods。Oldermen，husbandsoftheseladiesandfathersofeligiblegirls，werealsotobeseen，mostofthemwithMr。Palmerinabilliard-roomacrossthecorridor。Mr。andMrs。Adamshadnotbeeninvited。
　　"OfcoursepapaandmamajustbarelyknowMildredPalmer，"Alicethought，"andmostoftheothergirls'fathersandmothersareoldfriendsofMr。andMrs。Palmer，butIdothinkshemighthaveASKEDpapaandmama，anyway——sheneedn'thavebeenafraidjusttoaskthem；sheknewtheycouldn'tcome。"Andhersmilingliptwitchedalittlethreateningly，assheconcludedthesilentmonologue。"IsupposeshethinksIoughttobegladenoughsheaskedWalter!"
　　Walterwas，infact，rathernoticeable。HewasnotMildred'sonlyguesttowearashortcoatandtoappearwithoutgloves；buthewassingularatleastinhispresentsurroundingsonaccountofakindofcoiffuringhefavoured，hishairhavingbeenshapedafterwhatseemedaMongolinspiration。Onlyuponthetopoftheheadwasactualhairperceived，therestappearingtobenudity。
　　Andevenmorethanbyanydifferenceinmodehewassetapartbyhislookandmanner，inwhichthereseemedtobeabrooding，secretiveandjeeringsuperiorityandthiswasmostvividlyexpressedwhenhefeltcalleduponforhisloud，short，lop-sidedlaugh。WheneverheuttereditAlicelaughed，too，asloudlyasshecould，tocoverit。
　　"Well，"hesaid。"Howlongwegoin'tostandhere？Myfeetaresproutin'roots。"
　　Alicetookhisarm，andtheybegantowalkaimlesslythroughtherooms，thoughshetriedtolookasiftheyhadadefinitedestination，keepinghereyeseagerandherlipsparted；——peoplehadcalledjoviallytothemfromthedistance，shemeanttoimply，andtheyweregoingtojointhesemerryfriends。Shewasstilluponthisghostlyerrandwhenafuriousoutbreakofdrumsandsaxophonessoundedapreludefortheseconddance。
　　Walterdancedwithheragain，buthegaveherawarning。"I
　　don'twanttoleaveyouhighanddry，"hetoldher，"butIcan'tstandit。IgottogetsomewhereIdon'thaf'tohurtmyeyeswiththeseberries；I'llgoblindifIgottolookatanymoreof'em。I'mgoin'outtosmokeassoonasthemusicbeginsthenexttime，andyoubettergetfixedforit。"
　　Alicetriedtogetfixedforit。Astheydancedshenoddedsunnilytoeverymanwhoseeyeshecaught，smiledhersmilewiththeunderlipcaughtbetweenherteeth；butitwasnotuntiltheendoftheintermissionafterthedancethatshesawhelpcoming。
　　Acrosstheroomsattheglobularladyshehadencounteredthatmorning，andbesidetheglobularladysataround-headed，round-bodiedgirl；herdaughter，atfirstglance。ThefamilycontourwasalsoasevidentacharacteristicoftheshortyoungmanwhostoodinfrontofMrs。Dowling，engagedwithherinadiscussionwhichwasnotwithoutevidencesofanearnestnessalmostimpassioned。LikeWalter，hewasdecliningtodanceathirdtimewithsister；hewishedtogoelsewhere。
　　Alicefromasidelongeyewatchedthecontroversy:shesawtheglobularyoungmanglancetowardher，overhisshoulder；
　　whereuponMrs。Dowling，followingthisglance，gaveAlicealookofopenfury，becamemuchmorevehementintheargument，andevenstruckherkneewitharound，fatfistforemphasis。
　　"I'monmyway，"saidWalter。"There'sthemusicstartin'upagain，andItoldyou——"
　　Shenoddedgratefully。"It'sallright——butcomebackbeforelong，Walter。"
　　Theglobularyoungman，redwithannoyance，hadtornhimselffromhisfamilyandwashasteningacrosstheroomtoher。"C'nIhavethisdance？"
　　"Why，youniceFrankDowling!"Alicecried。"Howlovely!"
　　CHAPTERVII
　　Theydanced。Mr。Dowlingshouldhavefoundotherformsofexerciseandpastime。
　　Naturehasnotdesignedeveryonefordancing，thoughsometimesthoseshehasdeniedarethelasttodiscoverherniggardliness。
　　Buttheroundyoungmanwasatleastvigorousenough——toomuchso，whenhiskneescollidedwithAlice's——andhewastoosturdytobethrownoffhisfeet，himself，ortoallowhispartnertofallwhenhetrippedher。Heheldherupvaliantly，andcontinuedtobeatapaththroughthecrowdofotherdancersbymainforce。
　　Hepaidnoattentiontoanythingsuggestedbytheeffortsofthemusicians，andappearedtobeunawarethatthereshouldhavebeensomeconnectionbetweenwhattheyweredoingandwhathewasdoing；buthemayhavelistenedtoothermusicofhisown，forhisexpressionwasofhighcontent；heseemedtofeelnodoubtwhateverthathewasdancing。Alicekeptasfarawayfromhimasunderthecircumstancesshecould；andwhentheystoppedsheglanceddown，andfoundtheexecutionofunseenmanoeuvres，withintheprotectionofherskirt，helpfultooneofherinstepsandtothetoesofbothofherslippers。
　　Hercheerypartnerwaspaddlinghisrosybrowswithafinehandkerchief。"Thatwasgreat!"hesaid。"Let'sgooutandsitinthecorridor；they'vegotsomecomfortablechairsoutthere。"
　　"Well——let'snot，"shereturned。"IbelieveI'dratherstayinhereandlookatthecrowd。"
　　"No；thatisn'tit，"hesaid，chidingherwithawaggishforefinger。"Youthinkifyougooutthereyou'llmissachanceofsomeoneelseaskingyouforthenextdance，andsoyou'llhavetogiveittome。"
　　"Howabsurd!"Then，afteralookaboutherthatrevealednothingencouraging，sheaddedgraciously，"Youcanhavethenextifyouwantit。"
　　"Great!"heexclaimed，mechanically。"Nowlet'sgetoutofhere——outofTHISroom，anyhow。"
　　"Why？What'sthematterwith——"
　　"Mymother，"Mr。Dowlingexplained。"Butdon'tlookather。
　　ShekeepsmotioningmetocomeandseeafterElla，andI'msimplyNOTgoingtodoit，yousee!"
　　Alicelaughed。"Idon'tbelieveit'ssomuchthat，"shesaid，andconsentedtowalkwithhimtoapointinthenextroomfromwhichMrs。Dowling'scontinuoussignallingcouldnotbeseen。
　　"Yourmotherhatesme。"
　　"Oh，no；Iwouldn'tsaythat。No，shedon't，"heprotested，innocently。"Shedon'tknowyoumorethanjusttospeakto，yousee。Sohowcouldshe？"
　　"Well，shedoes。Icantell。"
　　Afrownappeareduponhisroundedbrow。"No；I'lltellyouthewayshefeels。It'slikethis:Ellaisn'tTOOpopular，youknow——it'shardtoseewhy，becauseshe'sarightnicegirl，inherway——andmotherthinksIoughttolookafterher，yousee。
　　ShethinksIoughttodanceawholelotwithhermyself，andstirupotherfellowstodancewithher——it'ssimplyimpossibletomakemotherunderstandyouCAN'Tdothat，yousee。Andthenaboutme，yousee，ifshehadherwayIwouldn'tgettodancewithanybodyatallexceptgirlslikeMildredPalmerandHenriettaLamb。Motherwantstorunmywholeprogrammeforme，youunderstand，butthetroubleofitis——aboutgirlslikethat，youseewell，Icouldn'tdowhatshewants，evenifIwantedtomyself，becauseyoutakethosegirls，andbythetimeIgetEllaoffmyhandsforaminute，why，theirdancesarealwayseverylastonetaken，andwheredoIcomein？"
　　Alicenodded，heramiabilityundamaged。"Isee。Sothat'swhyyoudancewithme。"
　　"No，Iliketo，"heprotested。"IratherdancewithyouthanI
　　dowiththosegirls。"AndheaddedwitharetrospectivedeterminationwhichshowedthathehadbeenthroughquiteanexperiencewithMrs。Dowlinginthismatter。"ITOLDmotherI
　　would，too!"
　　"Didittakeallyourcourage，Frank？"
　　Helookedathershrewdly。"Nowyou'retryingtoteaseme，"hesaid。"Idon'tcare；IWOULDratherdancewithyou!Inthefirstplace，you'reaperfectlybeautifuldancer，yousee，andinthesecond，amanfeelsalotmorecomfortablewithyouthanhedoeswiththem。OfcourseIknowalmostalltheotherfellowsgetalongwiththosegirlsallright；butIdon'twasteanytimeon'emIdon'thaveto。_I_likepeoplethatarealwayscordialtoeverybody，yousee——thewayyouare。"
　　"Thankyou，"shesaid，thoughtfully。
　　"Oh，IMEANit，"heinsisted。"Theregoesthebandagain。Shallwe？"
　　"Supposewesititout？"shesuggested。"IbelieveI'dliketogooutinthecorridor，afterall——it'sprettywarminhere。"
　　Assentingcheerfully，Dowlingconductedhertoapairofeasy-chairswithinasecludinggroveofbox-trees，andwhentheycametothisretreattheyfoundMildredPalmerjustdeparting，underescortofawell-favouredgentlemanaboutthirty。Asthesetwowalkedslowlyaway，inthedirectionofthedancing-floor，theyleftitnottobedoubtedthattheywereonexcellenttermswitheachother；Mildredwasevidentlywillingtomaketheirprogressevenslower，forshehaltedmomentarily，onceortwice；
　　andherupwardglancestohertallcompanion'sfacewereofagentle，almostblushingdeference。NeverbeforehadAliceseenanythinglikethisinherfriend'smanner。
　　"Howqueer!"shemurmured。
　　"What'squeer？"Dowlinginquiredastheysatdown。
　　"Whowasthatman？"
　　"Haven'tyoumethim？"
　　"Ineversawhimbefore。Whoishe？"
　　"Why，it'sthisArthurRussell。"
　　"WhatArthurRussell？Ineverheardofhim。"Mr。Dowlingwaspuzzled。"Why，THAT'Sfunny!OnlythelasttimeIsawyou，youweretellingmehowawfullywellyouknewMildredPalmer。"
　　"Why，certainlyIdo，"Aliceinformedhim。"She'smymostintimatefriend。"
　　"That'swhatmakesitseemsofunnyyouhaven'theardanythingaboutthisRussell，becauseeverybodysaysevenifsheisn'tengagedtohimrightnow，shemostlikelywillbebeforeverylong。Imustsayitlooksagooddealthatwaytome，myself。"
　　"Whatnonsense!"Aliceexclaimed。"She'sneverevenmentionedhimtome。"
　　Theyoungmanglancedatherdubiouslyandpassedafingeroverthetinyprongthatdashinglycomposedthewholesubstanceofhismoustache。
　　"Well，yousee，MildredISprettyreserved，"heremarked。"ThisRussellissomekindofcousinofthePalmerfamily，I
　　understand。"
　　"Heis？"
　　"Yes——secondorthirdorsomething，thegirlssay。Yousee，mysisterEllahasn'tgotmuchtodoathome，anddon'treadanything，orsew，orplaysolitaire，yousee；andshehearsaboutprettymucheverythingthatgoeson，yousee。Well，EllasaysalotofthegirlshavebeentalkingaboutMildredandthisArthurRussellforquiteawhileback，yousee。Theywereallwonderingwhathewasgoingtolooklike，yousee；becauseheonlygothereyesterday；andthatprovesshemusthavebeentalkingtosomeof'em，orelsehow——"
　　Alicelaughedairily，buttheprettysoundendedabruptlywithanaudibleintakeofbreath。"Ofcourse，whileMildredISmymostintimatefriend，"shesaid，"Idon'tmeanshetellsmeeverything——andnaturallyshehasotherfriendsbesides。WhatelsedidyoursistersayshetoldthemaboutthisMr。Russell？"
　　"Well，itseemshe'sVERYwelloff；atleastHenriettaLambtoldEllahewas。Ellasays——"
　　Aliceinterruptedagain，withanincreasedirritability。"Oh，nevermindwhatEllasays!Let'sfindsomethingbettertotalkaboutthanMr。Russell!"
　　"Well，I'Mwilling，"Mr。Dowlingassented，ruefully。"Whatyouwanttotalkabout？"
　　Butthisliberalofferfoundherunresponsive；shesatleaningback，silent，herarmsalongthearmsofherchair，andhereyes，moistandbright，fixeduponawidedoorwaywherethedancersfluctuated。ShewasdisquietedbymorethanMildred'sreserve，thoughreservesomarkedhadcertainlythesignificanceofawarningthatAlice'sdefinition，"mymostintimatefriend，"
　　lackedsanction。Indirectnoticetothiseffectcouldnotwellhavebeenmoreemphatic，butthestingofitwasleftforalatermoment。SomethingelsepreoccupiedAlice:shehadjustbeensurprisedbyanoddexperience。AtfirstsightofthisMr。
　　ArthurRussell，shehadsaidtoherselfinstantly，inwordsasdefiniteasifshespokethemaloud，thoughtheyseemedmorelikewordsspokentoherbysomeunknownpersonwithinher:"There!
　　That'sexactlythekindoflookingmanI'dliketomarry!"
　　Intheeyesoftherestlessandthelonging，Providenceoftenappearstobeworsethaninscrutable:anunreliableOmnipotencegiventohaphazardwhimsiesindealingwithitsowncreatures，choosingatrandomsomeamongthemtoberentwithtragicdeprivationsandotherstobepettedwithblessinguponblessing。
　　InAlice'seyes，Mildredhadbeenblessedenough；somethingoughttobeleftover，bythistime，foranothergirl。ThefinaltouchtotheheapingperfectionofChristmas-in-everythingforMildredwasthatthisMr。ArthurRussell，good-looking，kind-looking，graceful，theperfectfiance，shouldbealso"VERYwelloff。"Ofcourse!Theserichalwaysmarriedoneanother。AndwhiletheMildredsdancedwiththeirArthurRussellsthebestanoutsidercoulddoforherselfwastositwithFrankDowling——theonelastcourseleftherthatwasbetterthandancingwithhim。
　　"Well，whatDOyouwanttotalkabout？"heinquired。
　　"Nothing，"shesaid。"Supposewejustsit，Frank。"Butamomentlatersherememberedsomething，and，withasuddenanimation，begantoprattle。Shepointedtothemusiciansdownthecorridor。"Oh，lookatthem!Lookattheleader!Aren'ttheyFUNNY？Someonetoldmethey'recalled'JazzLouieandhishalf-breedbunch。'Isn'tthatjustcrazy？Don'tyouloveit？Dowatchthem，Frank。"
　　Shecontinuedtochatter，and，whilethuskeepinghisglanceawayfromherself，shedetachedtheforlornbouquetofdeadvioletsfromherdressandlaiditgentlybesidetheoneshehadcarried。
　　Thelatteralreadyreposedintheobscurityselectedforitatthebaseofoneofthebox-trees。
　　Thenshewasabruptlysilent。
　　"Youcertainlyareafunnygirl，"Dowlingremarked。"Yousayyoudon'twanttotalkaboutanythingatall，andallofasuddenyoubreakoutandtalkabluestreak；andjustaboutthetimeIbegintogetinterestedinwhatyou'resayingyoushutoff!What'sthematterwithgirls，anyhow，whentheydothingslikethat？"
　　"Idon'tknow；we'rejustqueer，Iguess。"
　　"Isayso!Well，what'llwedoNOW？Talk，orjustsit？"
　　"Supposewejustsitsomemore。"，"Anythingtooblige，"heassented。"I'mwillingtositaslongasyoulike。"
　　Butevenashemadehisamiabilityclearinthismatter，thepeacewasthreatened——hismothercamedownthecorridorlikearolling，ominouscloud。Shewaslookingaboutheronallsides，inafidgetofannoyance，searchingforhim，andtohisdismayshesawhim。Sheimmediatelymadeahorriblefaceathiscompanion，beckonedtohimimperiouslywithadumpyarm，andshookherheadreprovingly。Theunfortunateyoungmantriedtorepulseherwithanicystare，butthisefforthavingobtainedlittletoencouragehisfeeblehopeofdrivingheraway，heshiftedhischairsothathisbackwastowardherdiscomfitingpantomime。Heshouldhaveknownbetter，theinstantresultwasMrs。Dowlinginmotionatanimpetuouswaddle。
　　Sheenteredthebox-treeseclusionwiththelowerrotunditiesofherfacehastilymodelledintotheresemblanceofanover-benevolentsmileacontortionwhichneglectedtospreaditsintendedgenialityupwardtotheexasperatedeyesandanxiousforehead。
　　"Ithinkyourmotherwantstospeaktoyou，Frank，"Alicesaid，uponthisadvent。
　　Mrs。Dowlingnoddedtoher。"Goodevening，MissAdams，"shesaid。"IjustthoughtasyouandFrankweren'tdancingyouwouldn'tmindmydisturbingyou——"
　　"Notatall，"Alicemurmured。
　　Mr。Dowlingseemedofadifferentmind。"Well，whatDOyouwant？"heinquired，whereuponhismotherstruckhimroguishlywithherfan。
　　"Badfellow!"SheturnedtoAlice。"I'msureyouwon'tmindexcusinghimtolethimdosomethingforhisoldmother，MissAdams。"
　　"WhatDOyouwant？"thesonrepeated。
　　"Twoverynicethings，"Mrs。Dowlinginformedhim。"EverybodyissoanxiousforHenriettaLambtohaveapleasantevening，becauseit'stheveryfirsttimeshe'sbeenanywheresinceherfather'sdeath，andofcourseherdeargrandfather'sanoldfriendofours，and——"
　　"Well，well!"hersoninterrupted。"MissAdamsisn'tinterestedinallthis，mother。"
　　"ButHenriettacametospeaktoEllaandme，andItoldheryouweresoanxioustodancewithher——"
　　"Here!"hecried。"Lookhere!I'dratherdomyown——"
　　"Yes；that'sjustit，"Mrs。Dowlingexplained。"Ijustthoughtitwassuchagoodopportunity；andHenriettasaidshehadmostofherdancestaken，butshe'dgiveyouoneifyouaskedherbeforetheywereallgone。SoIthoughtyou'dbetterseeherassoonaspossible。"
　　Dowling'sfacehadbecomerosy。"Irefusetodoanythingofthekind。"
　　"Badfellow!"saidhismother，gaily。"IthoughtthiswouldbethebesttimeforyoutoseeHenrietta，becauseitwon'tbelongtillallherdancesaregone，andyou'vepromisedonyourWORDtodancethenextwithElla，andyoumightn'thaveachancetodoitthen。I'msureMissAdamswon'tmindifyou——"
　　"Notatall，"Alicesaid。
　　"Well，_I_mind!"hesaid。"IwishyouCOULDunderstandthatwhenIwanttodancewithanygirlIdon'tneedmymothertoaskherforme。IreallyAMmorethansixyearsold!"
　　Hespokewithtoomuchvehemence，andMrs。Dowlingatoncesawhowtohaveherway。Aswithhusbandsandwives，sowithmanyfathersanddaughters，andsowithsomesonsandmothers:themanwillhimselfbecrossinpublicandthinknothingofit，norwillhegreatlymindalittlecrossnessonthepartofthewoman；butlethershowagitationbeforeanyspectator，heisinstantlyreducedtoacoward'sslavery。Womenunderstandthatancientweakness，ofcourse；foritisoneoftheirmostimportantmeansofdefense，butcanbeusedignobly。
　　Mrs。Dowlingpermittedatremulousnesstobecomeaudibleinhervoice。"Itisn'tvery——verypleasant——tobetalkedtolikethatbyyourownson——beforestrangers!"
　　"Oh，my!Lookhere!"thestrickenDowlingprotested。"_I_
　　didn'tsayanything，mother。IwasjustjokingabouthowyounevergetoverthinkingI'malittleboy。Ionly——"
　　Mrs。Dowlingcontinued:"IjustthoughtIwasdoingyoualittlefavour。Ididn'tthinkitwouldmakeyousoangry。"
　　"Mother，forgoodness'sake!MissAdams'llthink——"
　　"Isuppose，"Mrs。Dowlinginterrupted，piteously，"Isupposeitdoesn'tmatterwhat_I_think!"
　　"Oh，gracious!"
　　Aliceinterfered；sheperceivedthattheruthlessMrs。Dowlingmeanttohaveherway。"Ithinkyou'dbettergo，Frank。
　　Really。"
　　"There!"hismothercried。"MissAdamssaysso，herself!Whatmoredoyouwant？"
　　"Oh，gracious!"helamentedagain，and，withasicklookoverhisshoulderatAlice，permittedhismothertotakehisarmandpropelhimaway。Mrs。Dowling'sspiritshadstrikinglyrecoveredevenbeforethepairpassedfromthecorridor:shemovedalmostbouncinglybesideherembitteredson，andhereyesandalltheconvolutionsofherabundantfacewereblithe。
　　AlicewentinsearchofWalter，butwithoutmuchhopeoffindinghim。Whathedidwithhimselfatfrozen-facedanceswasoneofhismostsuccessfulmysteries，andherpresentexcursiongavehernoclueleadingtoitssolution。Whenthemusiciansagainloweredtheirinstrumentsforanintervalshehadreturned，alone，toherformerseatwithinthepartialshelterofthebox-trees。
　　Shehadnowtopracticeanartthataffordsbutalimitedvarietyofmethods，eventotheexpert:theartofseemingtohaveanescortorpartnerwhenthereisnone。Thepractitionermustimply，merelybyexpressionandattitude，thatthesupposedcompanionhasleftherforonlyafewmoments，thatsheherselfhassenthimuponanerrand；and，ifpossible，themindsofobserversmustbedirectedtowardaconclusionthatthiserrandofherdevisingisanamusingone；atallevents，sheisalonetemporarilyandofchoice，notdeserted。Sheawaitsadevotedmanwhomayreturnatanyinstant。
　　OtherpeopledesiredtositinAlice'snook，butdiscoveredherinoccupancy。Shehadmovedthevacantchairclosertoherown，andshesatwithherarmextendedsothatherhand，holdingherlacekerchief，resteduponthebackofthissecondchair，claimingit。Suchapreemption，likethatofatraveller'sbagintherack，wasunquestionable；and，foradditionalevidence，sittingwithherkneescrossed，shekeptonefootcontinuouslymovingalittle，incadencewiththeother，whichtappedthefloor。Moreover，sheaddedafinedetail:herhalf-smile，withtheunderlipcaught，seemedtostruggleagainstrepression，asifshefoundtheserviceengagingherabsentcompanionevenmoreamusingthanshewouldlethimseewhenhereturned:therewasjovialintrigueofsomesortafoot，evidently。Hereyes，beamingwithsecretfun，wereavertedfromintruders，butsometimes，whencouplesapproached，seekingpossessionofthenook，herthoughtsabouttheabsenteeappearedtothreatenherwithoutrightlaughter；andthoughoneortwogirlslookedatherskeptically，astheyturnedaway，theirescortsfeltnosuchdoubts，andmerelywonderedwhatimportantlyfunnyaffairAliceAdamswasengagedin。Shehadlearnedtodoitperfectly。
　　Shehadlearneditduringthelasttwoyears；shewastwentywhenforthefirsttimeshehadtheshockoffindingherselfwithoutanapplicantforoneofherdances。Whenshewassixteen"alltheniceboysintown，"ashermothersaid，crowdedtheAdamses'
　　smallverandaandsteps，orsatnearby，cross-leggedonthelawn，onsummerevenings；andateighteenshehadreplacedtheboyswith"theoldermen。"Bythistimemostof"theothergirls，"hercontemporaries，wereawayatschoolorcollege，andwhentheycamehometostay，they"cameout"——thatfeeblerevivalofanancientcustomofferingthemaidentotheceremonialinspectionofthetribe。Aliceneitherwentawaynor"cameout，"
　　and，incontrastwiththosewhodid，shemayhaveseemedtolackfreshnessoflustre——jewelsarerichestwhenrevealedallnewinawhitevelvetbox。AndAlicemayhavebeentooeagertosecurenewretainers，tookindinhereffortstokeeptheoldones。Shehadbeenabelletoosoon。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　Thedeviceoftheabsenteepartnerhasthedefectthatitcannotbeemployedforlongerthantenorfifteenminutesatatime，anditmaynotberepeatedmorethantwiceinoneevening:asinglerepetition，indeed，isweak，andmayproveabetrayal。Aliceknewthatherpresentperformancecouldbeeffectiveduringonlythisintervalbetweendances；andthoughhereyeswereguarded，sheanxiouslycountedoverthepartnerlessyoungmenwholoungedtogetherinthedoorwayswithinherview。Everyoneofthemoughttohaveaskedherfordances，shethought，andalthoughshemighthavebeenputtoittogiveareasonwhyanyofthem"ought，"herheartwashotwithresentmentagainstthem。
　　Foragirlwhohasbeenabelle，itishardertolivethroughthesebadtimesthanitisforonewhohasneverknownanythingbetter。Likeafigureofpaintedandbrightlyvarnishedwood，EllaDowlingsatagainstthewallthroughdanceafterdancewithglassyimperturbability；itwaseasiertobewooden，Alicethought，ifyouhadyourmotherwithyou，asEllahad。Youwereleftwithatleasttheshredofapretensethatyoucametositwithyourmotherasaspectator，andnottoofferyourselftobedancedwithbymenwholookedyouoverandrejectedyou——notforthefirsttime。"Notforthefirsttime":therelayasting!
　　Whyhadyouthoughtthistimemightbedifferentfromtheothertimes？Whyhadyoubrokenyourbackpickingthosehundredsofviolets？
　　Hatingthefatuousyoungmeninthedoorwaysmorebitterlyforeveryinstantthatshehadtomaintainhertableau，thesmilingAliceknewfierceimpulsestospringtoherfeetandshoutatthem，"YouIDIOTS!"Handsinpockets，theyloungedagainstthepilasters，orfacedoneanother，laughingvaguely，eachoneofthemseemingtoAlicenomorethansomuchmeanbeefinclothes。
　　Shewantedtotellthemtheywerenobetterthanthat；anditseemedacruelthingofheaventoletthemgoonbelievingthemselvesyounglords。Theyweredoingnothing，killingtime。
　　Wasn'tsheatherlowestvalueatleastameansofkillingtime？
　　Evidentlythemeanbeevesthoughtnot。Andwhenoneofthemfinallyloungedacrossthecorridorandspoketoher，hewastheveryonetowhomshepreferredherloneliness。
　　"Waitingforsomebody，LadyAlicia？"heasked，negligently；andhiseasyburlesqueofhernamewaslikethefamiliarityoftherestofhim。Hewasoneofthosefull-bodied，grosslyhandsomemenwhoarepowerfulandactive，butneversubmitthemselvestotherigourofbecomingathletes，thoughtheyshootandfishfromexpensivecamps。Glossisthemostshiningoutwardmarkofthetype。Nowadaysthesemennolongerusebrilliantineontheirmoustaches，buttheyhaveglossboughtfrommanicure-girls，frommasseurs，andfromautomobile-makers；andtheireyes，usuallylarge，areglossy。Noneofthisisallowedtointerferewithbusiness；theseare"goodbusinessmen，"andoftenmakelargefortunes。Theyaremenofimaginationabouttwothings——womenandmoney，and，combiningtheirimaginingsaboutboth，usuallymakeawisefirstmarriage。Later，however，theyareapttoimaginetoomuchaboutsomelittlewomanwithoutwhomlifeseemsdullerthanneedbe。Theyrunaway，leavingthefirstwifewellenoughdowered。Theyareneverintentionallyunkindtowomen，andintheendtheyusuallymakethemistakeofthinkingtheyhavehadtheirmoney'sworthoflife。HerewasMr。HarveyMalone，ayoungspecimeninanearlierstageofdevelopment，tryingtomarryHenriettaLamb，andnowsaunteringovertospeaktoAlice，asatime-killerbeforehisnextdancewithHenrietta。
　　Alicemadenoresponsetohisquestion，andhedroppedlazilyintothevacantchair，fromwhichshesharplywithdrewherhand。
　　"Imightaswellusehischairtillhecomes，don'tyouthink？
　　Youdon'tMIND，doyou，oldgirl？"
　　"Oh，no，"Alicesaid。"Itdoesn'tmatteronewayortheother。
　　Pleasedon'tcallmethat。"
　　"Sothat'showyoufeel？"Mr。Malonelaughedindulgently，withoutmuchinterest。"I'vebeenmeaningtocometoseeyouforalongtimehonestlyIhave——becauseIwantedtohaveagoodtalkwithyouaboutoldtimes。Iknowyouthinkitwasfunny，afterthewayIusedtocometoyourhousetwoorthreetimesaweek，andsometimesoftener——well，Idon'tblameyouforbeinghurt，thewayIstoppedwithoutexplainingoranything。Thetruthistherewasn'tanyreason:Ijusthappenedtohavealotofimportantthingstodoandcouldn'tfindthetime。ButIAM
　　goingtocallonyousomeevening——honestlyIam。Idon'twonderyouthink——"
　　"You'remistaken，"Alicesaid。"I'veneverthoughtanythingaboutitatall。"
　　"Well，well!"hesaid，andlookedatherlanguidly。"What'stheuseofbeingcrosswiththisoldman？Healwaysmeanswell。"
　　And，extendinghisarm，hewouldhavegivenherafriendlypatupontheshoulderbutsheevadedit。"Well，well!"hesaid。
　　"Seemstomeyou'regettingawfultetchy!Don'tyoulikeyouroldfriendsanymore？"
　　"Notallofthem。"
　　"Who'sthenewone？"heasked，teasingly。"Comeonandtellus，Alice。Whoisityouwereholdingthischairfor？"
　　"Nevermind。"
　　"Well，allI'vegottodoistositheretillhecomesback；thenI'llseewhoitis。"
　　"Hemaynotcomebackbeforeyouhavetogo。"
　　"GuessyougotmeTHATtime，"Maloneadmitted，laughingasherose。"They'retuningup，andI'vegotthisdance。IAMcomingaroundtoseeyousomeevening。"Hemovedaway，callingbackoverhisshoulder，"Honestly，Iam!"
　　Alicedidnotlookathim，Shehadheldhertableauaslongasshecould；itwastimeforhertoabandonthebox-trees；andshesteppedforthfrowning，asifalittleannoyedwiththeabsenteeforbeingsuchatimeuponhererrand；whereuponthetwochairswereinstantlyseizedbyacoquettingpairwhointendedto"sitout"thedance。Shewalkedquicklydownthebroadcorridor，turnedintothebroaderhall，andhurriedlyenteredthedressing-roomwhereshehadleftherwraps。
　　Shestayedhereaslongasshecould，pretendingtoarrangeherhairatamirror，thenfidgetingwithoneofherslipper-buckles；
　　buttheintelligentelderlywomaninchargeoftheroommadeanindefinitesojournimpracticable。"PerhapsIcouldhelpyouwiththatbuckle，Miss，"shesuggested，approaching。"Hasitcomeloose？"Alicewrencheddesperately；thenitwasloose。Thecompetentwoman，producingneedleandthread，deftlymadethebucklefast；andtherewasnothingforAlicetodobuttoexpresshergratitudeandgo。
　　Shewenttothedoorofthecloak-roomopposite，whereacolouredmanstoodwatchfullyinthedoorway。"Iwonderifyouknowwhichofthegentlemenismybrother，Mr。WalterAdams，"shesaid。
　　"Yes'm；Iknowhim。"
　　"Couldyoutellmewhereheis？"
　　"No'm；Icouldn'tsay。"
　　"Well，ifyouseehim，wouldyoupleasetellhimthathissister，MissAdams，islookingforhimandveryanxioustospeaktohim？"
　　"Yes'm。Sho'ly，sho'ly!"
　　Asshewentawayhestaredafterherandseemedtoswellwithsomeburstingemotion。Infact，itwastoomuchforhim，andhesuddenlyretiredwithintheroom，releasingstrangulatedlaughter。
　　Walterremonstrated。Behindanexcellentscreenofcoatsandhats，inaremotepartoftheroom，hewaskneelingonthefloor，engagedinagameofchancewithasecondcolouredattendant；andthelaughterbecamesovehementthatitnotonlyinterferedwiththepastimeinhand，butthreatenedtoattractfrozen-faceattention。
　　"Icain'he'pit，man，"thelaughterexplained。"Icain'he'pit!Yousut'n'ythebeatin'es'whiteboy'n'iscity!"
　　Thedancerswereswingingintoan"encore"asAlicehaltedforanirresolutemomentinadoorway。Acrosstheroom，aclusterofmatronssatchattingabsently，theireyesontheirdancingdaughters；andAlice，findingarefugee'scourage，dodgedthroughthescurryingcouples，seatedherselfinachairontheoutskirtsofthiscolonyofelders，andbegantotalkeagerlytothematronnearesther。Thematronseemedunaccustomedtosomuchvivacity，andrespondedbutdryly，whereuponAlicewasmorevivaciousthanever；forshemeantnowtopresentthepictureofajollygirltoomuchinterestedinthesewiseolderwomentobotherabouteveryfoolishyoungmanwhoaskedherforadance。
　　Hermatronwasconstrainedtogosofarastosupplyatolerantnod，nowandthen，incomplementtothegirl'sanimation，andAlicewasgratefulforthenods。Inthisfashionshesupplementedtheexhaustedresourcesofthedressing-roomandthebox-treenook；andlivedthroughtwomoredances，whenagainMr。
　　FrankDowlingpresentedhimselfasapartner。
　　Sheneedednopretensetoseekthedressing-roomforrepairsafterthatnumber；thistimetheywerenecessaryandgenuine。
　　Dowlingwaitedforher，andwhenshecameoutheexplainedforthefourthorfifthtimehowtheaccidenthadhappened。"Itwasentirelythoseotherpeople'sfault，"hesaid。"Theygotmeinakindofacorner，becauseneitherofthosefellowsknowstheleastthingaboutguiding；theyjustjamaheadandexpecteverybodytogetoutoftheirway。ItwasCharlotteThom'sdiamondcrescentpinthatgotcaughtonyourdressinthebackandmadesucha——"
　　"Nevermind，"Alicesaidinatiredvoice。"Themaidfixeditsothatshesaysitisn'tverynoticeable。"
　　"Well，itisn't，"hereturned。"Youcouldhardlytellthere'dbeenanythingthematter。Wheredoyouwanttogo？Mother'sbeeninterferinginmyaffairssomemoreandI'vegotthenexttaken。"
　　"IwassittingwithMrs。GeorgeDresser。Youmighttakemebackthere。"
　　Heleftherwiththematron，andAlicereturnedtoherpicture-making，sothatoncemore，whiletwonumberspassed，whoevercaredtolookwasofferedthesketchofajolly，clevergirlpreoccupiedwithherelders。ThenshefoundherfriendMildredstandingbeforeher，presentingMr。ArthurRussell，whoaskedhertodancewithhim。
　　Alicelookeduncertain，asthoughnotsurewhatherengagementswere；butherperplexitycleared；shenodded，andswungrhythmicallyawaywiththetallapplicant。Shewasnotgratefultoherhostessforthisalms。Whatayounghostessdoeswithafiance，Alicethought，istomakehimdancewiththeunpopulargirls。ShesupposedthatMr。ArthurRussellhadalreadydancedwithEllaDowling。
　　Theloanofalover，underthesecircumstances，maybepainfultothelessee，andAlice，smilingnevermorebrightly，foundnothingtosaytoMr。Russell，thoughshethoughthemighthavefoundsomethingtosaytoher。"IwonderwhatMildredtoldhim，"shethought。"Probablyshesaid，'Dearest，there'sonemoregirlyou'vegottohelpmeoutwith。Youwouldn'tlikehermuch，butshedanceswellenoughandshe'shavingarottentime。Nobodyevergoesnearheranymore。'"
　　Whenthemusicstopped，Russelladdedhisapplausetothehand-clappingthatencouragedtheuproariousinstrumentstocontinue，andastheyrenewedthetumult，hesaidheartily，"That'ssplendid!"
　　Alicegavehimaglance，necessarilyatshortrange，andfoundhiseyeskindlyandpleased。Herewasafriendlysoul，itappeared，whoprobably"likedeverybody。"Nodoubthehadapplaudedforan"encore"whenhedancedwithEllaDowling，gaveEllathesamegeniallook，andsaid，"That'ssplendid!"
　　Whenthe"encore"wasover，Alicespoketohimforthefirsttime。
　　"Mildredwillbelookingforyou，"shesaid。"Ithinkyou'dbettertakemebacktowhereyoufoundme。"
　　Helookedsurprised。"Oh，ifyou——"
　　"I'msureMildredwillbeneedingyou，"Alicesaid，andasshetookhisarmandtheywalkedtowardMrs。Dresser，shethoughtitmightbejustpossibletomakeafurtheruseoftheloan。"Oh，I
　　wonderifyou——"shebegan。
　　"Yes？"hesaid，quickly。
　　"Youdon'tknowmybrother，WalterAdams，"shesaid。"Buthe'ssomewhereIthinkpossiblyhe'sinasmoking-roomorsomeplacewheregirlsaren'texpected，andifyouwouldn'tthinkittoomuchtroubletoinquire——"
　　"I'llfindhim，"Russellsaid，promptly。"Thankyousomuchforthatdance。I'llbringyourbrotherinamoment。"
　　Itwastobealongmoment，Alicedecided，presently。Mrs。
　　Dresserhadgrownrestive；andhernodsandvagueresponsestoheryoungdependent'sgaietieswereasmeagerastheycouldwellbe。EvidentlythematronhadnointentionofappearingtoherworldinthelightofachaperoneforAliceAdams；andshefinallymadethisclear。Withawordortwoofexcuse，breakingintosomethingAlicewassaying，sheroseandwenttositnexttoMildred'smother，whohadbecomethenucleusofthecluster。SoAlicewasleftverymuchagainstthewall，withshortstretchesofvacantchairsoneachsideofher。Shehadcometotheendofherpicture-making，andcouldonlypretendthattherewassomethingamusingthematterwiththearmofherchair。
　　ShesupposedthatMildred'sMr。RussellhadforgottenWalterbythistime。"I'mnotevenanintimateenoughfriendofMildred'sforhimtohavethoughtheoughttobothertotellmehecouldn'tfindhim，"shethought。AndthenshesawRussellcomingacrosstheroomtowardher，withWalterbesidehim。Shejumpedupgaily。
　　"Oh，thankyou!"shecried。"Iknowthisnaughtyboymusthavebeenterriblyhardtofind。Mildred'llNEVERforgiveme!I'veputyoutosomuch——"
　　"Notatall，"hesaid，amiably，andwentaway，leavingthebrotherandsistertogether。
　　"Walter，let'sdancejustoncemore，"Alicesaid，touchinghisarmplacatively。"Ithought——well，perhapswemightgohomethen。"
　　ButWalter'sexpressionwasthatofapersonuponwhomanoutragehasjustbeenperpetrated。"No，"hesaid。"We'vestayedTHIS
　　long，I'mgoin'towaitandseewhattheygottoeat。Andyoulookhere!"Heturneduponherangrily。"Don'tyoueverdothatagain!"
　　"Dowhat？"
　　"Sendsomebodyaftermethatpokeshisnoseintoeverycornerofthehousetillhefindsme!'AreyouMr。WalterAdams？'hesays。IguesshemustaskedeverybodyintheplaceiftheywereMr。WalterAdams!Well，I'llbetafewironmenyouwouldn'tsendanybodytohuntformeagainifyouknewwherehefoundme!"
　　"Wherewasit？"
　　Walterdecidedthatherfitpunishmentwastoknow。"Iwasshootin'dicewiththosecoonsinthecloak-room。"
　　"Andhesawyou？"
　　"Unlesshewasblind!"saidWalter。"Comeon，I'lldancethisonemoredancewithyou。Suppercomesafterthat，andTHENwe'llgohome。"
　　Mrs。AdamsheardAlice'skeyturninginthefrontdoorandhurrieddownthestairstomeether。
　　"Didyougetwetcomingin，darling？"sheasked。"Didyouhaveagoodtime？"