'Yes, I will. I 'd like to; and you shall put your name down here on the sticks of my fan.
That 's the way, Trix says, when you don't have a ball-book.'
Looking much gratified, Tom produced the stump of a lead-pencil, and wrote his name with a flourish, saying, as he gave it back, 'Now I 'm going to get Sherry, or some of the fellows that do the redowa well, so you can have a real good go before the music stops.'
Off went Tom; but before he could catch any eligible partner, Polly was provided with the best dancer in the room. Mr. Sydney had seen and heard the whole thing; and though he had laughed quietly, he liked honest Tom and good-natured Polly all the better for their simplicity. Polly's foot was keeping time to the lively music, and her eyes were fixed wistfully on the smoothly-gliding couples before her, when Mr. Sydney came to her, saying, in the pleasant yet respectful way she liked so much, 'Miss Polly, can you give me a turn?'
'Oh, yes; I 'm dying for another.' And Polly jumped up, with both hands out, and such a grateful face, that Mr. Sydney resolved she should have as many turns as she liked.
This time all went well; and Tom, returning from an unsuccessful search, was amazed to behold Polly circling gracefully about the room, guided by a most accomplished partner.
'Ah, that 's something like,' he thought, as he watched the bronze boots retreating and advancing in perfect time to the music. 'Don't see how Sydney does the steering so well; but it must be fun; and, by Jupiter! I 'll learn it!' added Shaw, Jr., with an emphatic gesture which burst the last button off his gloves.
Polly enjoyed herself till the music stopped; and before she had time to thank Mr, Sydney as warmly as she wished, Tom came up to say, with his most lordly air, 'You dance splendidly, Polly. Now, you just show me any one you like the looks of, and I 'll get him for you, no matter who he is.'
'I don't want any of the gentlemen; they are so stiff, and don't care 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
'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 pitch into the folks passing by, and go out and bring home plunder. Now, Rumple, you go and carry off a basket of cake, and I 'll watch here till Katy comes by with a fresh lot of oysters; Polly must have some. Sherry, cut into the kitchen, and bring a cup of coffee. Spider, scrape up the salad, and poke the dish through the slide for more. Eat away, Polly, and my men will be back with supplies in a jiffy.'
Such fun as they had in that closet; such daring robberies of jelly-pots and cake-boxes; such successful raids into the dining-room and kitchen; such base assaults upon poor Katy and the colored waiter, who did his best, but was helpless in the hands of the robber horde. A very harmless little revel; for
