And he bowed to her, and she bowed to him, and it was horrible. The horrible things people did for enjoyment!
"This dance is new to him," Mrs. Ellis passed over his shoulder to a pretty girl in pink. "Help him through, Alice."
Feeling a fool, Jack turned and met a wide smile and a nod. He bowed confusedly.
"I'm your corner," said the girl. "I'll pass it on to Monica, she'll be your vis-à-vis."
"Pick up partners," Easu was yelling with his domineering voice. "All in place, please! One more couple! One more couple!" He was at the other end of the barn, coming forward now, looking around like a general. He was coming for his Aunt.
"Ah!" he said, when he saw Mrs. Ellis and Jack. "You're dancing with Jack Grant, Aunt Jane? Thought he couldn't dance."
And he straightway turned his back on them, looking for Monica. Monica was standing with a young man from York.
"Monica, I want you," said Easu. "You can find a girl there," he said, nodding from the young fellow to a half-caste girl with fuzzy hair. The young fellow went white. But Monica crossed over to Easu, for she was a wicked little thing, and this evening she was hating Jack Grant, the booby.
"One more couple not needed," howled Easu. "Top centre. Where are you, Aunt Jane? Couple from here, lower centre, go to third set on left."
Easu was standing near the top. He stepped backward, and down came his heel on Jack's foot. Jack got away, but an angry light came into his eyes. His face, however, still kept that cherubic expression characteristic of it, and so ill-fitting his feelings. Easu was staring over the room, and never even looked round.