However, the three went to supper together, and joined the group in which they were most interested.
Great was the surprise of Daisy and Mona when Patty appeared with Mr. Farnsworth.
Big Bill was in the merriest of spirits. He greeted everybody heartily, he joked and laughed, and was at his most entertaining best. Patty was very proud of him, for without his mask he looked very handsome as King Lear, and his stalwart figure seemed to dwarf the other men.
After supper he claimed Patty for the promised dance.
“Would you rather dance with King Lear?” he said, smiling, “with all these heavy velvet draperies bothering us, or shall I go and shed this robe, and just be plain Bill?”
Patty looked at him, thoughtfully. “We’d have a better dance if you took off that flapping robe. But then, of course, you’d have to take off your wigs and things, and you wouldn’t be half so beautiful.”
“Well, then, don’t let’s dance, but just stroll around and talk. And there’s another reason why I’d rather keep on my wig and wreath.”
“What’s that?”
“Because the wreath means that I am mad.”
“Mad at me?”