"Oh, Toney won't have any! She says people must dance as the spirit moves them."
"How inconvenient. Well, anyhow, Lewis, you'll see the girls get partners."
"No fear! Think of all the tenants dying to trip it with such fair damsels!"
"One has to pretend one likes it," said Jeanie languidly; "but it's not at all enjoyable."
"I asked Toney to let me go off with Sally the kitchenmaid, but she wouldn't agree; she says I must foot it with Mrs. Goodman, the housekeeper. She weighs two tons at least and all the men fight shy of her." Lewis' good temper had returned, and he was now ready to make fun of everything. "But there is dancing in the dining-room, too, isn't there?" said Jeanie.
"We shall dance everywhere 'till gunpowder comes out of the heels of our boots,'" answered Lewis.
"Now do be sensible, Lewis. There will be, I hear, many of the county folks," said Mrs. Hamilton, thinking that Jeanie might meet someone eligible.
"I believe so. Lord and Lady Southbourne are coming, I know, and their eldest son, and George Lathom and heaps more. Oh, the Carews, of course; I heard Lady Carew saying the other day that nothing should prevent her coming to Toney's coming of age."
"I really think it strange they all flock to a sort of party like this when they come as seldom as possible to the house at other times," said Miss Honoria.
"Honestly, Aunt Honoria, you wouldn't miss Toney's party yourself, would you, and you know you only go very seldom to call on Lady Dove."