"What!" And Mac recoiled as if she had put a pistol to his head.

"I've left you in peace a long time, but it is your turn now, so do your
duty like a man and a cousin."

"But I never go to parties!" cried the unhappy victim in great dismay.

"High time you began, sir."

"But I don't dance fit to be seen."

"I'll teach you."

"My dress coat isn't decent, I know."

"Archie will lend you one he isn't going."

"I'm afraid there's a lecture that I ought not to cut."

"No, there isn't I asked Uncle."

"I'm always so tired and dull in the evening."

"This sort of thing is just what you want to rest and freshen up your
spirits."

Mac gave a groan and fell back vanquished, for it was evident that
escape was impossible.

"What put such a perfectly wild idea into your head?" he demanded,
rather roughly, for hitherto he had been left in peace and this sudden
attack decidedly amazed him.

"Sheer necessity, but don't do it if it is so very dreadful to you. I
must go to several more parties, because they are made for me, but after
that I'll refuse, and then no one need be troubled with me."

Something in Rose's voice made Mac answer penitently, even while he knit
his brows in perplexity. "I don't mean to be rude, and of course I'll go
anywhere if I'm really needed. But I don't understand where the sudden
necessity is, with three other fellows at command, all better dancers
and beaus than I am."

"I don't want them, and I do want you, for I haven't the heart to drag
Uncle out anymore, and you know I never go with any gentleman but those
of my own family."

"Now look here, Rose if Steve has been doing anything to tease you,
just mention it and I'll attend to him," cried Mac, plainly seeing that
something was amiss and fancying that Dandy was at the bottom of it, as
he had done escort duty several times lately.

"No, Steve has been very good, but I know he had rather be with Kitty
Van, so of course I feel like a marplot, though he is too polite to hint
it."

"What a noodle that boy is! But there's Archie he's steady as a church
and has no sweetheart to interfere," continued Mac, bound to get at the
truth and half suspecting what it was.

"He is on his feet all day, and Aunt Jessie wants him in the evening.
He does not care for dancing as he used, and I suppose he really does
prefer to rest and read." Rose might have added, "And hear Phebe sing,"
for Phebe did not go out as much as Rose did, and Aunt Jessie ofte