sufficient time afterward for
games.

"The next number will be a dance by Nancy Ferris."

Nancy had stood in the upper hall, ready, when she heard her name called
to enter. Here and there a tiny spangle caught the light, and the soft
pink of her dress was repeated in her cheeks. She was happy. She was
going to give pleasure.

As she heard her name called, she bounded down the stairway, across the
hall, and up on the stage, looking far smaller than in her usual school
dress. The pupils were spellbound.

Nancy had said nothing of her dancing nor had she spoken of having been
a tiny performer at the theaters.

Now as they saw her whirling on the tips of her toes, dipping, swaying,
doing steps of wondrous grace, they marveled at the skill with which she
did it. At home, at the Stone House, Dorothy had often played for her,
but to-night she seemed to out-do herself.

Nancy swung forward, then with cunning steps retreated, crossed her feet
and did the pretty rocking-step, whirled again, and yet again, did the
pirouette to left, then to right, made a very low courtesy, and ran off
the stage, followed by tremendous clapping.

How they wished that she might have repeated the lovely dance!

Mrs. Marvin closely watched the nimble feet and determined to know
something more about the charming little dancer. And now--Dorothy
wondered _just what_ the next number would be. She took a long breath
when, as Vera announced her, Patricia entered simply attired, wearing a
pretty white dress, with a pale yellow sash, no other color.

It was remarkable to see Patricia without at least six colors.

"Perhaps she'll sing well," Dorothy said to herself, "for the lovely
song that she chose for her number _couldn't_ be twisted into anything
funny."

Was that really so, or was Dorothy trying to think so? Was there
anything that Patricia could not "twist" if she chose?

The charming old song is very sweet when properly sung, and the words
fit the melody.

"I dreampt that I dwelt in marble halls,
With vassals and serfs at my side,
And of all who assembled within those walls,
That I was the joy and the pride.
I had riches too great to count, could boast
Of a high ancestral name,
But I also dreampt, and that charmed me most,
That you loved me just the same."

So runs the first verse, but Patricia had never seen the music. She had
heard the song a number of times, and felt competent to sing it.

Dorothy had a