At that very moment Ada, at the other end of the ballroom, was remarking to her partner, Jimmy Fairfax:
“Gretel Schiller seems to be having a good time. I believe she has danced every dance.”
“Well, why shouldn’t she?” Jimmy inquired innocently.
Ada, who had herself sat out several dances for lack of partners, pursed her lips solemnly.
“Oh, no reason at all,” she said, “as long as she can enjoy it. I can’t see how people can care about such frivolous things in these serious times. I wouldn’t have come to-night if it hadn’t been for those girls I have staying with me. Mother didn’t think it would be right to deprive them of the pleasure.”
“Well, I suppose we may as well enjoy ourselves while we can,” young Fairfax said, apologetically. “There won’t be much enjoyment for us when we get overseas. Miss Gretel seems to be a great favorite.”
“Oh, Gretel’s all right,” Ada admitted. “Everybody likes her. I was only wondering how she can take pleasure in anything when she remembers that her father was a German. If I had only one drop of German blood in my veins I should bow my head in shame.”
“It is pretty rough on Miss Gretel,” said Jimmy, “especially if she has German relatives. The Government is getting more severe on German-Americans every day.”
“Oh, Gretel hasn’t any German relatives; at least none in this country,” Ada explained. “You see, her mother was an American, and she lives with her half-brother, Mr. Douaine. He’s doing Government work in Washington, and Gretel is going there when she leaves here. I have heard her say she doesn’t even know any Germans except our teacher at school.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed the young man in a tone of so much surprise that Ada inquired curiously: