, guardians, aunts, uncles, cousins,
governesses, housemaids, cooks, chauffeurs and coachmen, appertaining to
the members of the dancing class, all dwelt in the same part of town and
shared certain communal theories; and among the most firmly established
was that which maintained Georgie Bassett to be the Best Boy in Town.
Contrariwise, the unfortunate Penrod, largely because of his recent
dazzling but disastrous attempts to control forces far beyond him,
had been given a clear title as the Worst Boy in Town. (Population,
135,000.) To precisely what degree his reputation was the product of
his own energies cannot be calculated. It was Marjorie Jones who first
applied the description, in its definite simplicity, the day after the
"pageant," and, possibly, her frequent and effusive repetitions of it,
even upon wholly irrelevant occasions, had something to do with its
prompt and quite perfect acceptance by the community.

"Miss Rennsdale will please do me the fafer to be Mr. Georgie Bassett's
partner for one moment," said Professor Bartet. "Mr. Penrod Schofield
will please give his attention. Miss Rennsdale and Mister Bassett,
obliche me, if you please. Others please watch. Piano, please! Now
then!"

Miss Rennsdale, aged eight--the youngest lady in the class--and Mr.
Georgie Bassett one-two-three--glided with consummate technique for the
better education of Penrod Schofield. It is possible that amber-curled,
beautiful Marjorie felt that she, rather than Miss Rennsdale, might have
been selected as the example of perfection--or perhaps her remark was
only woman.

"Stopping everybody for that boy!" said Marjorie.

Penrod, across the circle from her, heard distinctly--nay, he was
obviously intended to hear; but over a scorched heart he preserved a
stoic front. Whereupon Marjorie whispered derisively in the ear of her
partner, Maurice Levy, who wore a pearl pin in his tie.

"Again, please, everybody--ladies and gentlemen!" cried Professor
Bartet. "Mister Penrod Schofield, if you please, pay puttickly
attention! Piano, please! Now then!"

The lesson proceeded. At the close of the hour Professor Bartet stepped
to the centre of the room and clapped his hands for attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if you please to seat yourselves quietly," he
said; "I speak to you now about to-morrow. As you all know--Mister
Penrod Schofield, I am not sticking up in a tree outside that window! If
you do me the fafer to examine I am here, in