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？\"