第62章

``Miss Pratt is going away!'' thought William and Mr.Parcher.``Miss PRATT is going away--to-morrow!''

The unuttered words advanced tragically toward the gate in the head of William at the same time that they moved contentedly away in the head of Mr.Parcher; for Mr.Parcher caught sight of his wife just then, and went to join her as she sank wearily upon the front steps.

``Taking a rest for a minute?'' he inquired.

``By George! we're both entitled to a good LONG

rest, after to-night! If we could afford it, we'd go away to a quiet little sanitarium in the hills, somewhere, and--'' He ceased to speak and there was the renewal of an old bitterness in his expression as his staring eyes followed the movements of a stately young form entering the gateway.``Look at it!'' said Mr.Parcher in a whisper.``Just look at it!''

``Look at what?'' asked his wife.

``That Baxter boy!'' said Mr.Parcher, as William passed on toward the dancers.``What's he think he's imitating--Henry Irving? Look at his walk!''

``He walks that way a good deal, lately, I've noticed,'' said Mrs.Parcher in a tired voice.

``So do Joe Bullitt and--''

``He didn't even come to say good evening to you,'' Mr.Parcher interrupted.``Talk about MANNERS, nowadays! These young--''

``He didn't see us.''

``Well, we're used to that,'' said Mr.Parcher.

``None of 'em see us.They've worn holes in all the cane-seated chairs, they've scuffed up the whole house, and I haven't been able to sit down anywhere down-stairs for three months without sitting on some dam boy; but they don't even know we're alive! Well, thank the Lord, it's over--after to-night!'' His voice became reflective.``That Baxter boy was the worst, until he took to coming in the daytime when I was down-town.I COULDN'T have stood it if he'd kept on coming in the evening.If I'd had to listen to any more of his talking or singing, either the embalmer or the lunatic-asylum would have had me, sure! I see he's got hold of his daddy's dress-suit again for to-night.''

``Is it Mr.Baxter's dress-suit?'' Mrs.Parcher inquired.``How do you know?''

Mr.Parcher smiled.``How I happen to know is a secret,'' he said.``I forgot about that.His little sister, Jane, told me that Mrs.Baxter had hidden it, or something, so that Willie couldn't wear it, but I guess Jane wouldn't mind my telling YOU that she told me especially as they're letting him use it again to-night.I suppose he feels grander 'n the King o' Siam!''

``No,'' Mrs.Parcher returned, thoughtfully.

``I don't think he does, just now.'' Her gaze was fixed upon the dancing-platform, which most of the dancers were abandoning as the music fell away to an interval of silence.In the center of the platform there remained one group, consisting of Miss Pratt and five orators, and of the orators the most impassioned and gesticulative was William.

``They all seem to want to dance with her all the time,'' said Mrs.Parcher.``I heard her telling one of the boys, half an hour ago, that all she could give him was either the twenty-eighth regular dance or the sixteenth `extra.' ''

``The what?'' Mr.Parcher demanded, whirling to face her.``Do they think this party's going to keep running till day after to-morrow?'' And then, as his eyes returned to the group on the platform, ``That boy seems to have quite a touch of emotional insanity,'' he remarked, referring to William.``What IS the matter with him?''

``Oh, nothing,'' his wife returned.``Only trying to arrange a dance with her.He seems to be in difficulties.''