“And you look like a yellow one. No, I should say more like a pansy with your dark hair and eyes. As for Win, in that white frock and with those pink cheeks she is just like an apple-blossom. Come on, let’s go down; I hear guests arriving.”
“I’m glad we took an hour’s rest,” said Joanne as they descended the stairs, “for now I feel as fresh as possible, and I really felt all in when the last cup of tea was served.”
“What a blessing dear old Unc’ Aaron has been,” said Claudia. “He washed up all the cups and things, and now he is on hand to do anything we want him to.”
They entered the prettily decorated drawing-room and soon the dance was in full swing. The boys had exchanged their khaki for evening dress, the girls flitted about in daintily hued costumes. There were flowers everywhere and ruddy autumn leaves. The music by a volunteer band was slightly jazzy but no one cared as long as it served for dancing. The room was so full that many couples betook themselves to the hall, for not only the younger set, but older persons were there. Mr. Pattison saw to it that there were no wall flowers, and Mrs. Pattison was in great request.
Dr. and Mrs. Selden arrived late, looked around for Joanne and finally caught sight of her graceful little figure dancing with Mr. Travis. She shot them a happy smile as she whisked by. Presently the music stopped, then it struck up the old time melody of “Turkey in the Straw.”
“All take your partners for the Virginia Reel,” called out Mr. Price. “Everybody join.”
Joanne slid across the floor to her grandfather. “Come, Grad, come,” she cried seizing him by the arm.
“Pshaw! an old fellow like me? Go find some younger partner.”
“No, you, you, I want you. A navy man not dance? It’s absurd. Of course you will; Gradda must, too.”
“Please to count me out,” expostulated Mrs. Selden. But here Mr. Pattison came up to join his entreaties to Joanne’s, so off the four went, Joanne as proud as Lucifer of her grandparents.