“Can you stay, Little Billee?” asked Patty, dancing up to him, as he seemed about to leave.
“I have to take a midnight train,” he said, “and I have some business matters that I must attend to first. So if I may, I’ll run away now, and come back this evening for a dance with you.”
“All right; be sure to come,” and Patty flashed him a smiling glance, and danced away again.
It was after eleven before Farnsworth returned, and Patty had begun to fear he would not come at all.
“What are you looking at?” asked Philip Van Reypen, as Patty continued to glance over her shoulder toward the hall, while they were dancing.
“Nothing,” was the non-committal answer.
“Well, then, you may as well look at me. At least, I’m better than nothing.”
“Much better!” said Patty, with exaggerated emphasis; “ever so much better! Oh, say, Philip, take me over to the hall, will you?”
“What for? This dance has just begun.”
“Never mind!” said Patty, impatiently. “Lead me over that way!”