下载辰思小说免费APP
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；buthewassingular(atleastinhispresentsurroundings)onaccountofakindofcoiffuringhefavoured，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？"
