“How does it feel?” asked Jack. “Anything like a snail squeezing out of a shell, or like falling out of a tree?”
“Neither,” they exclaimed; “more like being crowned queen.”
“And expecting everyone to bow down to you,” added Doreen gayly. “I hope you are prepared to be finely ordered about?”
“That won’t be anything new. It seems to me I have been at yours and Kathleen’s beck and call ever since I can remember—to say nothing of Paddy and Eileen, who treat me as if I was only created to wait on them. I suppose I shall be expected to lead off the ball with one of you!” feigning disgust.
“What impudence!” they cried together. “Here are we impressing upon you that in future you are to treat us with great respect, and you start off by coolly claiming one of the greatest favours we can confer.”
“Not at all,” quoth Jack. “I merely await your orders. I know that one of you will expect me to have the first dance with you, and all I ask is, which?”
“Then you are just wrong,” said Doreen, tossing her head. “I wouldn’t lead the dance off with you—if—if—my kingdom depended upon it.”
“Well, I never asked you to,” wickedly. “You shouldn’t be in such a hurry to decline before you’re asked.”
“You wretch,” with a laugh. “Well, I’ll just take you to pay you out. There—write ‘Jack’ on the first line at once,” and she handed him her programme.
Jack took it readily, for of the two he preferred Doreen, the younger, and he calmly proceeded to write his name faintly the whole way down the cardboard.