Her eyes were moist, her voice was jagged with excitement. He was convinced that he had won her. He clasped her, conscious of her smooth warmth, and solemnly he circled in a heavy version of the one-step. He bumped into only one or two people. “Gosh, I’m not doing so bad; hittin’ ’em up like a regular stage dancer!” he gloated; and she answered busily, “Yes--yes-- I told you I could teach anybody--_don’t take such long steps_!” For a moment he was robbed of confidence; with fearful concentration he sought to keep time to the music. But he was enveloped again by her enchantment. “She’s got to like me; I’ll make her!” he vowed. He tried to kiss the lock beside her ear. She mechanically moved her head to avoid it, and mechanically she murmured, “Don’t!” For a moment he hated her, but after the moment he was as urgent as ever. He danced with Mrs. Orville Jones, but he watched Louetta swooping down the length of the room with her husband. “Careful! You’re getting foolish!” he cautioned himself, the while he hopped and bent his solid knees in dalliance with Mrs. Jones, and to that worthy lady rumbled, “Gee, it’s hot!” Without reason, he thought of Paul in that shadowy place where men never dance. “I’m crazy to-night; better go home,” he worried, but he left Mrs. Jones and dashed to Louetta’s lovely side, demanding, “The next is mine.” “Oh, I’m so hot; I’m not going to dance this one.” “Then,” boldly, “come out and sit on the porch and get all nice and cool.” “Well--” In the tender darkness, with the clamor in the house behind them, he resolutely took her hand. She squeezed his once, then relaxed. “Louetta! I think you’re the nicest thing I know!” “Well, I think you’re very nice.” “Do you? You got to like me! I’m so lonely!” “Oh, you’ll be all right when your wife comes home.” “No, I’m always lonely.” She clasped her hands under her chin, so that he dared not touch her. He sighed: “When I feel punk and--” He was about to bring in the tragedy of Paul, but that was too sacred even for the diplomacy of love. “--when I get tired out at the office and everything, I like to look across the street and think of you. Do you know I dreamed of you, one time!” “Was it a nice dream?” “Lovely!” “Oh, well, they say dreams go by opposites! Now I must run in.” She was on her feet. “Oh, don’t go in yet! Please, Louetta!” “Yes, I must. Have to look out for my guests.” “Let ’em look out for ’emselves!” “I couldn’t do that.” She carelessly tapped his shoulder and slipped away. But after two minutes of shamed and childish longing to sneak home he was snorting, “Certainly I wasn’t trying to get chummy with her! Knew there was nothing doing, all the time!” and he ambled in to dance with Mrs. Orville Jones, and to avoid Louetta, virtuously and conspicuously. CHAPTER XXIV I