But though he hated the throbbing music and the sound of the laughing voices that came to him, he could not keep away--and when he reached the lawn where the dancers were, he found Miss Pratt moving rhythmically in the thin grasp of Wallace Banks.Johnnie Watson approached, and spoke in a low tone, tinged with spiteful triumph.
``Well, anyway, ole fat George didn't get the first dance with her! She's the guest of honor, and Wallace had a right to it because he did all the work.He came up to 'em and ole fat George couldn't say a thing.Wallace just took her right away from him.George didn't say anything at all, but I s'pose after this dance he'll be rushin' around again and nobody else 'll have a chance to get near her the rest of the afternoon.
My mother told me I ought to invite him over here, out I had no business to do it; he don't know the first principles of how to act in a town he don't live in!''
``Where'd he go?'' William asked, listlessly, for Mr.Crooper was nowhere in sight.
``I don't know--he just walked off without sayin' anything.But he'll be back, time this dance is over, never you fear, and he'll grab her again and-- What's the matter with Joe?''
Joseph Bullitt had made his appearance at a corner of the house, some distance from where they stood.His face was alert under the impulse of strong excitement, and he beckoned fiercely.
``Come here!'' And, when they had obeyed, ``He's around back of the house by a kind of shed,'' said Joe.``I think something's wrong.
Come on, I'll show him to you.''
But behind the house, whither they followed him in vague, strange hope, he checked them.
``LOOK THERE!'' he said.
His pointing finger was not needed.Sounds of paroxysm drew their attention sufficiently--sounds most poignant, soul-rending, and lugubrious.William and Johnnie perceived the large person of Mr.Crooper; he was seated upon the ground, his back propped obliquely against the smoke-house, though this attitude was not maintained constantly.
Facing him, at a little distance, a rugged figure in homely garments stood leaning upon a hoe and regarding George with a cold interest.
The apex of this figure was a volcanic straw hat, triangular in profile and coned with an open crater emitting reddish wisps, while below the hat were several features, but more whiskers, at the top of a long, corrugated red neck of sterling worth.A husky voice issued from the whiskers, addressing George.
``I seen you!'' it said.``I seen you eatin'!
This here farm is supposed to be a sanitary farm, and you'd ought of knew better.Go it, doggone you! Go it!''
George complied.And three spectators, remaining aloof, but watching zealously, began to feel their lost faith in Providence returning into them; their faces brightened slowly, and without relapse.It was a visible thing how the world became fairer and better in their eyes during that little while they stood there.And William saw that his Little Sweethearts had been an inspired purchase, after all; they had delivered the final tap upon a tottering edifice.
George's deeds at dinner had unsettled, but Little Sweethearts had overthrown--and now there was awful work among the ruins, to an ironical accompaniment of music from the front yard, where people danced in heaven's sunshine!
This accompaniment came to a stop, and Johnnie Watson jumped.He seized each of his companions by a sleeve and spoke eagerly, his eyes glowing with a warm and brotherly light.
``Here!'' he cried.``We better get around there --this looks like it was goin' to last all afternoon.
