So in the present sentimental crisis. To rank in the estimation of Miss Dolly Travers there was no escaping the fact that he would have to surrender his prejudices and incline his feet to the popular way. But having reached this decision he determined to stage his effects. For two more Saturdays he continued in dignified isolation to escort Miss Travers to the weekly hop and back, guarding her scarf and fan, straining his mouth into the semblance of an interested smile while other fellows slipped their arms around the tiny figure and moved dexterously or heavily about the ballroom.
On the third Saturday, halfway to the club house, just as he had planned, Miss Dolly returned to the point of discussion.
"Jack, aren't you ever, ever going to learn to dance?"
"Oh well, perhaps some day," he said casually.
"But you can't go through life without dancing!"
"Really I think it's just too selfish of you. You know how I adore it. Why won't you try? I do believe you're afraid of being laughed at."
"That's what you've said every time," said Miss Dolly, shrugging her shoulders.
Skippy bided his opportunity until the third two-step had begun and the claimants for the favorite's hand were congregating.
"I'm sitting this out with Jack," said Dolly, with a sigh.
"Say, a fossil who can't dance oughtn't to have any rights around here, nohow," said Happy Mather. "You're only a clothes horse anyway, Skippy."
Dolly burst out laughing at this, which pained Skippy exceedingly.
"Oh, any chump can dance if he wants to."
"Sure. Easiest thing in the world if I wanted to."
"Sure. Just keeping in time, that's all."
"Here's a dollar you can't get three times around the room."
"I'll pay another dollar any day to see a circus," said Joe Crocker, beginning to smirk.
Miss Dolly looked up in some consternation for the group now numbered a half a dozen and the floor was vast and bare.
"Don't you want to wait a little?" she said with a glance at Crocker, who was nudging his neighbor.
"What's the use?" said Skippy. "Now tell me again what I do."
"Two steps with the left forward and then two steps with the right. Hold my arm so," said Dolly a little breathlessly.
"Hold on tight, Skippy," said Happy Mather.
"Shall we give him a push, Dolly?" said Lazelle sympathetically, while his companions, linking arms, were beaming with anticipated delight.