Daniel's mouth opened and remained open. Cousin Percy stared at the speaker. Even Serena, defender of the dances of the ancient Greeks, looked shocked.
“Why, Gertie!” she cried. “Gertie! You! the idea!”
“Why not, Mother?”
“Why not! I should think you would know why not. I never heard you speak like that before.”
“I never saw any dances like those before. I have heard about them, of course, but I never saw them. We never did—you or father or any of us—a great many things that we are doing now. We are learning all the time; that's what you told me, Mother. I never went to a Bohemian 'At Home' before.”
Serena's eyes snapped. “Well, you'll never go to another one,” she declared, “if it's going to have this effect on you.”
The young lady smiled. “Why, of course I shall,” she cried. “I want to learn, just as you do, Mother. And I mean to. Good-night!”
She left the room and they heard her ascending the stairs. Daniel and Serena looked at each other. Cousin Percy looked at them both.
Captain and Mrs. Dott had a long talk before retiring. The captain derived some satisfaction from the talk; it seemed to him that their daughter's declaration of independence had startled Serena somewhat. She even went so far as to admit that, in spite of Mrs. Black's explanations and gracious commendations, she, herself, had not been impressed by Miss Canby's guests. She and Gertrude would have an interview in the morning, she declared.
Captain Dan waited hopefully for the result of that interview. The hope was crushed when Serena reported to him.