Patty blushed, furiously. "Oh, I didn't mean engaged that way," she said, "I meant engaged for this dance."
"No," corrected Farnsworth, still smiling, "you did mean you are engaged to him that way, but not for this dance."
"Well, he hadn't actually asked me," said Patty, doubtfully, "but I know he took it for granted——"
"It isn't wise to take too much for granted—there! see, he has just discovered your absence."
Sure enough, Van Reypen, who had been engrossed with the mummer's chaff, turned back to where Patty had sat, and his look of amazement at her absence was funny to see.
Glancing about, he saw her standing in line, opposite Farnsworth. At first, he looked wrathful, then accepting his position with a good grace, he smiled at them both.
"Little deserter!" he said to her, as he sauntered past her, in search of another partner.
"Deserter, yourself!" she returned. "You completely forgot my existence!"
"I didn't, but I am duly punished for seeming to do so. But I claim you for a supper partner, so make a memorandum of that!"
Patty smiled an assent, and the dance began.