His gloom turned to rapture. "Oh! Mrs. Howard, will you?"
"I'll try," she answered, as they took their places, his heart beating quickly with pride and delight. And never was a dance performed with more reverent devotion.
"Why, Aunt Zélie, that is not fair!" called Carl, as he and Dora danced down the middle and back again.
"I didn't know you danced, Mrs. Howard," said Jim, upon whom Ikey cast a triumphant glance.
When it was over she was besieged with partners for another, but she refused, declaring it was too late.
So ended Uncle William's surprise party.
When the door had closed on the last guest and Bess at the piano was playing a snatch of a waltz, Carl pounced upon his aunt and carried her off before she knew it.
"Ikey shall not get ahead of me," he said, as after sailing twice around the room he dropped her breathless on the sofa.