"I thought you were never going to throw over that great giant," said Martin Lavosse. "I suppose every girl will go crazy about him because he has been up north and made some money. His father has planned to take him into business. Jeanne, dance with me." "No, not now. I am tired." "I should think you would be, pulled around at that rate. Look, Susette can hardly keep up, and her braids have tumbled." "Did I look like that?" asked Jeanne with sudden disapprobation in her tone. "Oh, no, no! You were like--like the fairies and wood things old Mere Michaud tells of. Your hair just floated around like a cloud full of twilight--" "No, the black ones when the thunderstorm is coming on," she returned mischievously. "It was beautiful and full of waves. And you are so straight and slim. You just floated." "And you watched me and lost your streamer twice. Rose did not like it." He was a little jealous and a little vexed at Rose giving him the go by in such a pointed manner. He would get even with her. "Why did you go off so early? We all went up for you." "I wanted to gather flowers for the shrines." "But we could have gone, too." "No, it would have been too late. It was such a pleasure to Pani. She can't dance, you know." "Let us walk around and see the tables." They were being spread out on the green sward, planks raised a foot or so, for every one would sit on the grass. Some of the Indian women had booths, and were already selling birch and sassafras beer, pipes and tobacco, and maple sugar. Little ones were running helter-skelter, tumbling down and getting up without a whimper. Here a knot of men were playing cards or dominoes. It was a pretty scene, and needed only cavaliers and the glittering, stately stepping dames to make it a picture of old France. They were all tired and breathless with the dance presently, and threw themselves around on the grass for a bit of rest. There was laughing and chattering, and bright eyes full of mirth sent coquettish glances first on this side, then on that. Susette had borne off her partner in triumph to see her mother, and there were old neighbors welcoming and complimenting Pierre De Ber. "Pierre," said a stout fellow banteringly, "you have shown us your improvement in dancing. As I remember you were a rather clumsy boy, too big for your years. Now they are going to try feats of skill and strength. After that we shall have some of the Indian women run a race. Monsieur De Ber, we shall be glad to count you in, if you have the daring to compete with the stay-at-homes." "For shame, Hugh! What kind of an invitation is that? Pierre, you do not look as if you had spent all your prowess in dancing;" glancing admiringly at the big fellow. "You will see. Give me a trial." Pierre was nettled at the first speaker's tone. "I have not been up on the Mich for nothing. You fellows think the river and Lake St. Clair half the world. You should see Lake Michigan and Lake Superior."