Then Lieutenant Featherstone, feeling that the Navy must look to the enjoyment of these strangers, came over to them.
"How many of you dance?" inquired the lieutenant.
"Two of us," answered Hal. "I don't."
"Mr. Farnum, I must introduce you to an agreeable partner," urged the
Navy officer. "Who shall it be? I know most of the ladies here."
"Don't think me a bear, Mr. Featherstone, but I don't believe I'll dance to-night, though I thank you tremendously," replied the shipbuilder.
"Then, Benson, you must uphold the honor of your party," laughed the lieutenant, linking his arm in Jack's and drawing him forward.
Captain Benson's next dance was with a California girl; after that he led out a jolly young woman from New York. As he left the latter partner, Mlle. Nadiboff, on the arm of a gentleman, passed close enough to murmur:
"Captain, you are neglecting me—and I have saved the next, a waltz, for you."
Not being engaged for that waltz, Jack could hardly do, otherwise than claim it. Indeed, he greatly enjoyed dancing with this gracious, handsome young woman. Yet, soon after he had taken Mlle. Nadiboff to her seat, and another partner appeared to claim her favor, Benson slipped away.
"Go after Captain Benson, I beg of you, and bring him back here for a moment," requested the young woman of her new partner. That gentleman obeyed, even if with a poor grace. Jack returned, bowing, while the gentleman walked away a few feet.