Barney Kelly disappeared through some back door while Philip's enthusiastic friends gathered around him, and Veronica dashed out on the front piazza, cleared the steps in two bounds, and the July moon aided her progress between the bushes to the back of the hall where a figure in white was straying.
"Mr. Kelly," she called breathlessly, "you were perfectly splendid. Why didn't you stay and let the people tell you so?"
"Oh, I don't know them," said Barney carelessly. "And they want to eat up Barrison."
"But they want to eat up you, too. Didn't you see how crazy they were about that last funny out-of-tune thing you played?"
Kelly laughed.
"And don't you go away; they're going to dance."
"Oh, do they want me to play?"
"Don't you dare to play! Don't you dare to let them know you can." Barney laughed again. "Well, of course, they know now you can, but not dance music."
"You're a very nice child, Veronica." Barney looked at her little dimpled rose face, and the pale green dress she wore.
"Well, if I am, then come around to the front piazza with me. They're setting back the chairs."