“I guess we’ll just have to go without party gowns,� Nell sighed regretfully. “But it would have been such fun if we could only be dressed up like you, Belle!�
“Never mind, the boys won’t know the difference,� Belle consoled them. “And certainly Teddy and Roy won’t mind. You can have just as much fun in knockabout dresses. Anyway, Bug Eye might still arrive.�
By nine-thirty all hope of getting the dresses was abandoned, and the “orchestra� started to tune up. Sing Lung drew his bow across the fiddle strings. Nick let out a blast on his mouth-organ. Jim Casey sent into the air a long, wailing note from his accordion.
Every person on the ranch had gathered in the living room. Pop Burns had his shoes polished until they rivaled the high-lights of his bald head. Gus Tripp sat proudly in the seat of honor at the side of the room, his arm swathed in bandages. Rad Sell was resplendent in a new yellow-striped shirt. Also it was noticed that Nick Looker had given up the idea of a diamond stickpin. He had on a green tie, as did every other hand on the ranch. The punchers were waiting eagerly for the music to start. And, Teddy noted gleefully, Norine stood demurely in a corner, garbed in a red dress!
Mr. and Mrs. Manley watched the scene with happy smiles. They were parents of children almost grown, but there were no younger people in that room than those two.
Teddy walked to the middle of the floor.
“Ladies and gentlemen!� he exclaimed pompously. “The dance is about to begin! Orchestra, are you all ready?�
“All set, Teddy!�
“We’re ready!�
“We can do music when you say yes!�