air he whistled, for Dandy was
proficient in the graceful art and plumed himself upon his skill. Mac,
with a flushed face and dizzy eye, clutched his brother by the small
of his back, vainly endeavoring to steer him down the long room without
entangling his own legs in the tablecloth, treading on his partner's
toes, or colliding with the furniture. It was very droll, and Rose
enjoyed the spectacle till Mac, in a frantic attempt to swing around,
dashed himself against the wall and landed Steve upon the floor. Then
it was impossible to restrain her laughter any longer and she walked in
upon them, saying merrily: "It was splendid! Do it again, and I'll play
for you."

Steve sprang up and tore off the tablecloth in great confusion, while
Mac, still rubbing his head, dropped into a chair, trying to look quite
calm and cheerful as he gasped out: "How are you, Cousin? When did you
come? John should have told us."

"I'm glad he didn't, for then I should have missed this touching tableau
of cousinly devotion and brotherly love. Getting ready for our next
party, I see."

"Trying to, but there are so many things to remember all at once keep
time, steer straight, dodge the petticoats, and manage my confounded
legs that it isn't easy to get on at first," answered Mac with a sigh of
exhaustion, wiping his hot forehead.

"Hardest job I ever undertook and, as I'm not a battering ram, I decline
to be knocked round any longer," growled Steve, dusting his knees and
ruefully surveying the feet that had been trampled on till they tingled,
for his boots and broadcloth were dear to the heart of the dapper youth.

"Very good of you, and I'm much obliged. I've got the pace, I think,
and can practice with a chair to keep my hand in," said Mac with such a
comic mixture of gratitude and resignation that Rose went off again so
irresistibly that her cousins joined her with a hearty roar.

"As you are making a martyr of yourself in my service, the least I
can do is lend a hand. Play for us, Steve, and I'll give Mac a lesson,
unless he prefers the chair." And, throwing off her hat and cloak, Rose
beckoned so invitingly that the gravest philosopher would have yielded.

"A thousand thanks, but I'm afraid I shall hurt you," began Mac, much
gratified, but mindful of past mishaps.

"I'm not. Steve didn't manage his train well, for good dancers always
loop theirs up. I have none at all, so that trouble is gone and the
music will make it much easie