“I should be if he was a little older,” said the young lady, rather enjoying her lover’s displeasure.
“I don’t believe he can play at all,” growled Jedidiah. “He’s fooled Abner Webb, like as not. It’s a pity we couldn’t have Paul Beck.”
“Very likely he can play better than Paul Beck,” said Maria—not because she thought so, but because she knew it would tease her partner.
“Don’t be a fool, Maria,” said Jedidiah, scarcely conscious of the impoliteness of his speech.
The young lady, however, resented it at once.
“I am sure you are very polite, Mr. Jedidiah Burbank—so polite that I think you had better find another partner!”
“Excuse me, Maria,” said Jedidiah hastily, alarmed at the prospect of being left without a partner. “Of course, I didn’t mean anything.”
“If you didn’t mean it, what made you say it?” retorted Maria, tossing her head. “I ain’t used to being called a fool. I never knew a gentleman to make such a remark to a lady. I think you’d better find some other partner.”
“I take it all back,” said Jedidiah, in alarm. “I was only in fun.”
“I don’t like that kind of fun,” said Maria, in a tone of dignified coldness.