MISS BOKE
Nothing could have been more evident than William's difficulties.They continued to exist, with equal obviousness, when the group broke up in some confusion, after a few minutes of animated discussion; Mr.Wallace Banks, that busy and executive youth, bearing Miss Pratt triumphantly off to the lemonade-
punch-bowl, while William pursued Johnnie Watson and Joe Bullitt.He sought to detain them near the edge of the platform, though they appeared far from anxious to linger in his company; and he was able to arrest their attention only by clutching an arm of each.In fact, the good feeling which had latterly prevailed among these three appeared to be in danger of disintegrating.The occasion was too vital; and the watchword for ``Miss Pratt's last night'' was Devil-Take-the-Hindmost!
``Now you look here, Johnnie,'' William said, vehemently, ``and you listen, too, Joe! You both got seven dances apiece with her, anyway, all on account of my not getting here early enough, and you got to--''
``It wasn't because of any such reason,'' young Mr.Watson protested.``I asked her for mine two days ago.''
``Well, THAT wasn't fair, was it?'' William cried.
``Just because I never thought of sneaking in ahead like that, you go and--''
``Well, you ought to thought of it,'' Johnnie retorted, jerking his arm free of William's grasp.
``I can't stand here GABBIN' all night!'' And he hurried away.
``Joe,'' William began, fastening more securely upon Mr.Bullitt--``Joe, I've done a good many favors for you, and--''
``I've got to see a man,'' Mr.Bullitt interrupted.``Lemme go, Silly Bill.There's some body I got to see right away before the next dance begins.I GOT to! Honest I have!''
William seized him passionately by the lapels of his coat.``Listen, Joe.For goodness' sake can't you listen a MINUTE? You GOT to give me--''
``Honest, Bill,'' his friend expostulated, backing away as forcefully as possible, ``I got to find a fellow that's here to-night and ask him about something important before--''
``Ye gods! Can't you wait a MINUTE?'' William cried, keeping his grip upon Joe's lapels.
``You GOT to give me anyway TWO out of all your dances with her! You heard her tell me, yourself, that she'd be willing if you or Johnnie or--''
``Well, I only got five or six with her, and a couple extras.Johnnie's got seven.Whyn't you go after Johnnie? I bet he'd help you out, all right, if you kept after him.What you want to pester ME for, Bill?''
The brutal selfishness of this speech, as well as its cold-blooded insincerity, produced in William the impulse to smite.Fortunately, his only hope lay in persuasion, and after a momentary struggle with his own features he was able to conceal what he desired to do to Joe's.
He swallowed, and, increasing the affectionate desperation of his clutch upon Mr.Bullitt's lapels, ``Joe,'' he began, huskily--``Joe, if _I_'d got six reg'lar and two extras with Miss Pratt her last night here, and you got here late, and it wasn't your fault--I couldn't help being late, could I?
It wasn't my fault I was late, I guess, was it?
Well, if I was in YOUR place I wouldn't act the way you and Johnnie do--not in a thousand years I wouldn't! I'd say, `You want a couple o' my dances with Miss Pratt, ole man? Why, CERTAINLY--' ''
``Yes, you would!'' was the cynical comment of Mr.Bullitt, whose averted face and reluctant shoulders indicated a strong desire to conclude the interview.``To-night, especially!'' he added.
``Look here, Joe,'' said William, desperately, ``don't you realize that this is the very last night Miss Pratt's going to be in this town?''
``You bet I do!'' These words, though vehement, were inaudible; being formed in the mind of Mr.Bullitt, but, for diplomatic reasons, not projected upon the air by his vocal organs.
William continued: ``Joe, you and I have been friends ever since you and I were boys.'' He spoke with emotion, but Joe had no appearance of being favorably impressed.``And when I look back,'' said William, ``I expect I've done more favors for you than I ever have for any oth--''
But Mr.Bullitt briskly interrupted this appealing reminiscence.``Listen here, Silly Bill,''
he said, becoming all at once friendly and encouraging--'' Bill, there's other girls here you can get dances with.There's one or two of 'em sittin' around in the yard.You can have a bully time, even if you did come late.'' And, with the air of discharging happily all the obligations of which William had reminded him, he added, ``I'll tell you THAT much, Bill!''
``Joe, you got to give me anyway ONE da--''
``Look!'' said Mr.Bullitt, eagerly.``Look sittin' yonder, over under that tree all by herself!
That's a visiting girl named Miss Boke; she's visiting some old uncle or something she's got livin' here, and I bet you could--''
``Joe, you GOT to--''
``I bet that Miss Boke's a good dancer, Bill,''
Joe continued, warmly.``May Parcher says so.She was tryin' to get me to dance with her myself, but I couldn't, or I would of.
Honest, Bill, I would of! Bill, if I was you I'd sail right in there before anybody else got a start, and I'd--''
``Ole man,'' said William, gently, ``you remember the time Miss Pratt and I had an engagement to go walkin', and you wouldn't of seen her for a week on account of your aunt dyin' in Kansas City, if I hadn't let you go along with us? Ole man, if you--''
But the music sounded for the next dance, and Joe felt that it was indeed time to end this uncomfortable conversation.``I got to go, Bill,''
he said.``I GOT to!''
``Wait just one minute,'' William implored.
``I want to say just this: if--''
``Here!'' exclaimed Mr.Bullitt.``I got to GO!''
``I know it.That's why--''
Heedless of remonstrance, Joe wrenched himself free, for it would have taken a powerful and ruthless man to detain him longer.``What you take me for?'' he demanded, indignantly.
``I got this with Miss PRATT!''
And evading a hand which still sought to clutch him, he departed hotly.
