ike she favored her paw too much."

"Well, Bill Warson 'lows that if they's any good looks in the family,
they come from him."

"Maw, you-all got a hairpin? Give hit to me next time I turn co'ners."

"Look at Evvie Williams! She always gets a seat nex' the window, so's
she c'n talk to some feller out o' hit."

"Ah did, too, when Ah was that age."

"Yes, Ah remember you did. Ah don' guess Hamp Pinner's goin' to dance
with Ollie tonight."

"Yes, he is. He jus' ast her in through the window."

"Sh, sh, sh. Will you hush yo' fuss!"

"Ah'm well, thank ye, Mr. Baron. How are you?"

"Look at Drusilla Pinner cross her feet, an' her a church-member, too!"

"Ah been lookin'. She's awful careless about her dancin'."

"This child'll have to go to bed in the other room. He's yellin' jus'
tur'ble."

"Ah 'low M'lissy 'll make some money out o' this. They's right smart
here."

Von Rittenheim made his rounds and joined the group of men at the door.
They received him pleasantly, for he was a favorite among them. Indeed,
since his misfortune in the spring he had noticed an added warmth in
their attitude, and a certain intimacy of approach. As he talked to
them the music stopped abruptly, and with its last note he found
himself alone, for the youths about him had precipitated themselves
into the room to secure their partners for the next cotillon. The
enterprising Hamp came in through the window, by which port of entry
the orchestra departed in search of the reviving pail on the back
porch.

Melissa came timidly to von Rittenheim.

"Won't you-all dance this nex' one, Mr. Baron? Ah'll get ye a partner."

"I fear I should make too many mistakes. I do not understand well
enough English to know quickly what says the director."

"Oh, yo' partner 'll tell ye all that."

"Then, if you will be that partner, will I try."

"Oh, no. Hit looks like Ah'd been askin' you."

"But no, Mrs. Yare-brough, for I would not tr-rust myself to the care
of anybody whom I knew less well."

"Truly? Then we'll stand here?" And Friedrich, looking at her beaming
face, did not regret the effort.

The other participants in the cotillon gained no praise from the
spectators, for every eye was upon their unexpected guest. They
applauded his successes and smiled encouragingly upon his mistakes.
They admired his good looks in pleased undertones, and secretly urged
Alf to prolong the dance and their pleasure until it seemed to
Friedrich that he had