Page:Caroline Lockhart--The Fighting Shepherdess.djvu/64

 The boy looked at her pleadingly as he added :

"Slhe has so few pleasures, and she would so like to have acquaintances — to make friends."

' I dare say," dryly.

' She — she doesn't know any one. Won't you — all come and join us?" There was entreaty in the boy's voice.

Mrs. Taylor rose out of her hips until she looked all of seven feet tall to Hughie.

' You must excuse me, Mr. Disston." She hesitated, then added in explanation : " When we came West I told myself that I must not allow myself to deteriorate in rough surroundings, and I have made it a rule never to mingle with any but the best, Mr. Disston. My father," impressively, ** was a prominent undertaker in Philadelphia, and as organist in a large Methodist church in that city I came in contact with the best people, so you understand," blandly, " don't you, why I cannot — "

The boy was red to the rim of his ears as he bowed formally to mother and daughter.

" I don't in the least," he replied, coldly.

The pain in Kate's eyes hurt him when he returned to his seat and she asked.

" They wouldn't come? "

He hesitated, then answered bluntly :

" No."

" H^had we better stay? "

" Yes," he replied, doggedly, " we'll stay."

Their efforts at conversation were not a success, and it was a relief to them both when Hiram Butefish, as Floor Manager, commanded everybody to take partners for a waltz.

Hughie arose and held out his hands to Kate.