Page:The Star in the Window.pdf/93

Rh There followed a general intermingling. Reba started for the red streamer which was hanging diagonally across the hall from her. She threaded her way around the edge, passing through the green territory, and the yellow, on the way. Everybody was talking and laughing, eager and interested. She saw several of the yellow partners discover each other as she passed along. She saw one girl—a dark, big-eyed, bright-cheeked creature (she knew her by sight. Lollie Terrence, they called her. She could dance on the tip end of her toes in gymnasium shoes)—she saw Lollie back up to one of the large wall-radiators and, giggling, slip her number behind it.

"It will mix things up, Lollie," warned the girl that was with her.

"I don't care. If you could have seen him, my dear! Gee! I'm going to streak it, till this funny business is over." She shrugged, and flashed out of one of the doors.

Reba went on her way. She approached the red group a little anxiously. There was no need of her knees wabbling like that, of course. He wouldn't eat her up. Oh, but she must do well! She must remember to keep her left hand light, to be ready to turn, to slide, to dip at any moment, to keep high on her toes, so as to be better able to follow wherever he wanted to lead, just at the instant he indicated. Where was he, she wondered—the man to whom fate had allotted her for this first real dance of hers. How strange to feel oneself hunted for by a man, like this, and to be hunting for a man yourself! Perhaps it would be better form, Reba thought, to sit down in