登陆注册
14325600000036

第36章 GOOD-BY (2)

"That finishes you off just right, and is a very pretty attention of papa's. Now run down, for the bell has rung; and remember, not to dance too often, Fan; be as quiet as you can, Tom; and. Maud, don't eat too much supper. Grandma will attend to things, for my poor nerves won't allow me to come down."With that, Mrs. Shaw dismissed them, and the four descended to receive the first batch of visitors, several little girls who had been asked for the express purpose of keeping Maud out of her sister's way. Tom had likewise been propitiated, by being allowed to bring his three bosom friends, who went by the school-boy names of Rumple, Sherry, and Spider.

"They will do to make up sets, as gentlemen are scarce; and the party is for Polly, so I must have some young folks on her account," said Fanny, when sending out her invitations.

Of course, the boys came early, and stood about in corners, looking as if they had more arms and legs than they knew what to do with. Tom did his best to be a good host; but ceremony oppressed his spirits, and he was forced to struggle manfully with the wild desire to propose a game of leap-frog, for the long drawing-rooms, cleared for dancing, tempted him sorely.

Polly sat where she was told, and suffered bashful agonies as Fan introduced very fine young ladies and very stiff young gentlemen, who all said about the same civil things, and then appeared to forget all about her. When the first dance was called, Fanny cornered Tom, who had been dodging her, for he knew what she wanted, and said, in an earnest whisper:

"Now, Tom, you must dance this with Polly. You are the young gentleman of the house, and it 's only proper that you should ask your company first.""Polly don't care for manners. I hate dancing; don't know how. Let go my jacket, and don't bother, or I 'll cut away altogether," growled Tom, daunted by the awful prospect of opening the ball with Polly.

"I 'll never forgive you if you do. Come, be clever, and help me, there 's a dear. You know we both were dreadfully rude to Polly, and agreed that we 'd be as kind and civil to her as ever we could. I shall keep my word, and see that she is n't slighted at my party, for I want her to love me, and go home feeling all right."This artful speech made an impression on the rebellious Thomas, who glanced at Polly's happy face, remembered his promise, and, with a groan, resolved to do his duty.

"Well, I 'll take her; but I shall come to grief, for I don't know anything about your old dances.""Yes, you do. I 've taught you the steps a dozen times. I 'm going to begin with a redowa, because the girls like it, and it 's better fun than square dances. Now, put on your gloves, and go and ask Polly like a gentleman.""Oh, thunder!" muttered Tom. And having split the detested gloves in dragging them on, he nerved himself for the effort, walked up to Polly, made a stiff bow, stuck out his elbow, and said, solemnly, "May I have the pleasure, Miss Milton?"He did it as much like the big fellows as he could, and expected that Polly would be impressed. But she was n't a bit; for after a surprised look she laughed in his face, and took him by the hand, saying, heartily,­"Of course you may; but don't be a goose, Tommy.""Well, Fan told me to be elegant, so I tried to," whispered Tom, adding, as he clutched his partner with a somewhat desperate air, "Hold on tight, and we 'll get through somehow."The music struck up, and away they went; Tom hopping one way and Polly the other, in a most ungraceful manner.

"Keep time to the music," gasped Polly.

"Can't; never could," returned Tom.

"Keep step with me, then, and don't tread on my toes," pleaded Polly.

"Never mind; keep bobbing, and we 'll come right by and by," muttered Tom, giving his unfortunate partner a sudden whisk, which nearly landed both on the floor.

But they did not "get right by and by"; for Tom, In his frantic efforts to do his duty, nearly annihilated poor Polly. He tramped, he bobbed, he skated, he twirled her to the right, dragged her to the left, backed her up against people and furniture, trod on her feet, rumpled her dress, and made a spectacle of himself generally. Polly was much disturbed; but as everyone else was flying about also, she bore it as long as she could, knowing that Tom had made a martyr of himself, and feeling grateful to him for the sacrifice.

"Oh, do stop now; this is dreadful!" cried Polly, breathlessly, after a few wild turns.

"Is n't it?" said Tom, wiping his red face with such an air of intense relief, that Polly had not the heart to scold him, but said, "Thank you,"and dropped into a chair exhausted.

"I know I 've made a guy of myself; but Fan insisted on it, for fear you 'd be offended if I did n't go the first dance with you," said Tom, remorsefully, watching Polly as she settled the bow of her crushed sash, which Tom had used as a sort of handle by which to turn and twist her;"I can do the Lancers tip-top; but you won't ever want to dance with me any more," he added, as he began to fan her so violently, that her hair flew about as if in a gale of wind.

"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?"

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 末日九格图

    末日九格图

    我叫王思宇,今年刚刚升学读高一。2022年11月11日,我又收到了个粉色的信封。大概是从我十岁开始,就有人在每年的11月给我寄这种信,每年的内容都不一样,再算上这个,就是我收到的第四封信。当我拆开信封,发现只有一张折叠起来的素描纸,与以往不同的是那右下角落上了署名和日期……
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 铁血震武林

    铁血震武林

    现代武痴铁军练拳被雷劈到了南宋末年,笑傲江湖。
  • 一梦君心

    一梦君心

    他们的相遇,因为她的声音,而后面的故事,却是始料未及的风云。
  • 超时空武神

    超时空武神

    武神一种为对抗异灵,而诞生的另类体系,他们危险而强大,但在这乱世的迷蒙的前路中,武神却更显迷茫。他们将为何而战……这是他们一直追寻的答案,也是他们躲不掉的宿命……
  • 先天灵宝之落宝金钱

    先天灵宝之落宝金钱

    一个孤儿幸运的捡到洪荒时期的落宝金钱,然后一个人默默修真得故事。一本轻松休闲小说
  • 一遇师弟误终生

    一遇师弟误终生

    “都说一遇师弟误终生,师弟为何你一直不娶妻?"“那师姐你嫁给我好了,就当为天下女子除害了。”天云宗内流传着一句话:一遇师弟误终生。可好巧不巧这个师弟就抓着师姐不放。左一个师姐嫁给我右一句师姐嫁给我。终于,师姐怒:“夏清梵!你再缠着我我就立刻把你赶下山!”某师弟笑咪咪的看着自家暴怒的师姐:"那师姐跟我一起下山成亲去吧。"
  • 破天战帝

    破天战帝

    以武为尊的神武大陆,门派林立,独孤破天一个帝国的太子,奈何天生是武道废材。一次奇遇发现神府,才知道自己原来不是废材,而是万年不出的破天战神体,从此便飞速进阶。天才如何?照样为我踏脚石!神兽如何?当我小弟!圣女如何?为我丫鬟!一代绝世战帝就此踏上万界巅峰!
  • 除了爱情与樱花

    除了爱情与樱花

    一个莫名其妙的婚约让你匆匆赶回,国内,邂逅了危险的他,面瘫的他,温暖的他,呆萌的他。同处一个校园,又会擦出什么样的火花?
  • 今宵月儿圆

    今宵月儿圆

    刘殿学的小小说取材日常生活题材,善于提炼,通过各种生活细节,展现生活的一个侧面,幽默、智慧处处可见,单篇不长,以一种轻松而又调侃的笔墨,勾勒出纷杂错乱的芸芸众生,让读者在笑声中去分析,去思考,令人回味无穷。