“I couldn't dance like that if I practised for ten years,” said Russell.
“I don't believe he could,” laughed his sister Aline, “his talent is surely not for dancing, for only the other day he told me that at dancing-school, just as sure as he tried not to step on his partner's toes, he always trod on his own.”
“It's just what I do,” agreed Russell, joining in the laughter that greeted Aline's words.
Again and again they marched around the double row of chairs, and each time the one caught standing was made to pay a forfeit, to the delight of all the others.
For the next game they clasped hands and formed a great ring. Dorothy, in the centre, extended her arms as she sang this verse:
“As around you gaily dance,
I must see if, just by chance,
In your ring which has no end,
You do hold my dearest friend.
Yes, my truest friend I see,
Nancy, dearest, come to me.”
Nancy ran into the circle, and the others, clasping hands, danced around them singing gaily:
“See the happy, merry two,
One with brown eyes, one with blue,
One is dark and one is fair,
Which of us will join them there?”
It was Nancy's turn now to choose a friend from the ring, and she at once chose Flossie.
Flossie was the youngest of the little guests, and she was delighted to be so soon chosen.