ake mistakes," said Alice Selden, as Dick
led her back to her seat. "I think you dance very well."

"It was because I had such a good partner," said Dick.

"Thank you for the compliment," said Alice, courtesying profoundly.

"Seems to me you're very polite, Alice," said Theodore, coming up.

"Mr. Hunter was paying me a compliment," said Alice.

"I wish you'd tell me how," said Theodore to Dick.

"I wish he would," interrupted Alice. "All your compliments are of the
wrong kind."

"It isn't expected that brothers should compliment their sisters," said
Theodore.

Mrs. Greyson came into the room during the dancing, and was pleased to
see that Dick and Henry Fosdick, instead of sitting awkwardly in the
corner, were taking their part in the evening's amusement. Dick made an
engagement with Alice for another dance later in the evening, but danced
the second with Ida Greyson, with whom, by this time, he felt very well
acquainted.

[Illustration]

"I didn't know you knew Alice Selden," said Ida. "Where did you meet
her?"

"Her brother Theodore introduced me this evening. I did not know her
before."

"You haven't been here lately, Dick," said Ida, familiarly.

"No," said he. "It's because I've been very busy."

"You don't work in the evening,--do you?"

"I study in the evening."

"What do you study, Dick?"

"French, for one thing."

"Can you speak French?"

"A little. Not much."

"I'm going to try you '_Comment vous portez-vous, monsieur?_'"

"'_Tres bien, mademoiselle. Et vous?_'"

"That's right," said Ida, gravely. "I can't talk much yet myself. Who
teaches you?"

"I have a private teacher."

"So have I. She comes twice a week. When I don't know my lesson, she
boxes my ears. Is your teacher cross?"

"No," said Dick, laughing. "He doesn't box my ears."

"That's because you're so large. I wish I could have you for my teacher.
I'd ask papa, if you could only speak it like a native."

"So I can," said Dick.

"You can, really?"

"Yes, like a native of New York."

Ida laughed, and was afraid that wouldn't do.

When the dance was over, and Dick was leading Ida to her seat, a
surprise awaited him. A boy came forward hastily, and said in a tone
blending amazement with gratification, "Is it possible that this is Dick
Hunter?"

"Frank Whitney!" exclaimed Dick, clasping his hand cordially. "How came
you here?"

"Just the question I was going to ask you, Dick. But I'll answer first.
I am spendi