"But I know friends of yours," went on the girl. "I am Miss Mabel Hanford, and I know Birdy Lee, who lives in your town—I mean in the place where you come from. She and I used to be great chums. We went to school together."
"Indeed," said Dick. "Birdy Lee and I are well acquainted."
"So she said when I wrote to her, telling her I was coming to this ball. She suggested that I might meet you, and when I heard your name mentioned, I couldn't help speaking."
"I am glad you did," said Dick, smiling.
"Won't you come over and let me introduce you to my mother?" went on Miss Hanford. "I feel as if I had known you a long time, for Birdy often spoke of you in her letters to me."
"I am glad she did," said Dick, gallantly.
Mrs. Hanford greeted him kindly, evidently approving of her daughter's action.
"May I have the next dance?" asked Dick of the daughter.
"Yes," said Miss Hanford, blushing a little. "But I hope you don't think I spoke to you just to have you dance with me——"
"Not at all," Dick hastened to say.