Page:Booth Tarkington - Alice Adams.djvu/118

 "Well, well!" her son interrupted. "Miss Adams isn't interested in all this, mother."

"But Henrietta came to speak to Ella and me, and I told her you were so anxious to dance with her"

"Here!" he cried. "Look here! I'd rather do my own"

"Yes; that's just it," Mrs. Dowling explained. "I just thought it was such a good opportunity; and Henrietta said she had most of her dances taken, but she'd give you one if you asked her before they were all gone. So I thought you'd better see her as soon as possible."

Dowling's face had become rosy. "I refuse to do anything of the kind."

"Bad fellow!" said his mother, gaily. "I thought this would be the best time for you to see Henrietta, because it won't be long till all her dances are gone, and you've promised on your word to dance the next with Ella, and you mightn't have a chance to do it then. I'm sure Miss Adams won't mind if you"

"Not at all," Alice said.

"Well, I mind!" he said. "I wish you could understand that when I want to dance with any girl I don't need my mother to ask her for me. I really am more than six years old!"