“But I am, and I will not dance.”
It was useless for Bill to coax, for she remained obstinate. At last he went away, attempting, out of politeness, to conceal his anger, although Jack could see he was furious.
The girl slyly pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, and all Jack’s sympathy was aroused.
“I’d like to hit that big red-shirted brute with a club!” he thought.
The girl’s handkerchief slipped down to the floor. He picked it up and returned it to her in his politest manner.
A smile broke over her face, like a burst of sunshine through a cloud.
“Thank you, sir,” she said.
“You are very welcome, miss,” murmured Jack, who was dazzled by the whiteness of her teeth and her rare smile.
“Here—one more couple here,” called a voice, as a young man came rushing round the hall. “Fill up this set—you two. Come on and fill it out.”