“Better put the blue-jacket on guard over us,” laughed Katherine.
Dorothy saw all levity depart from his face, giving way to a look of sternness and command. Although he was engaged in a joke, the subordinate must see no sign of fooling in his countenance. He said a sharp word to a blue-jacket, who nimbly sprang to the end of the settee, raised his hand in salute, and stiffened himself to an automaton. Then the girls saw the tall figure of the Lieutenant wending its way to the spot where the commander stood.
“I say, Dorothy, we’re prisoners. I wonder what this Johnny would do if we attempted to fly. Isn’t the Lieutenant sumptuous?”
“He seems a very agreeable person,” murmured Dorothy.
“Agreeable! Why, he’s splendid. I tell you, Dorothy, I’m going to have the first dance with him. I’m the eldest. He’s big enough to divide between two small girls like us, you know.”
“Nonsense, you’re not going to sit here all night with nobody to speak to. I’ll ask the Lieutenant to bring you a man. He’ll take two or three blue-jackets and capture anybody you want.”
“Katherine,” said Dorothy, almost as severely as if it were the elder sister who spoke, “if you say anything like that, I’ll go back to the house.”
“You can’t get back. I’ll appeal to the guard. I’ll have you locked up if you don’t behave yourself.”
“You should behave yourself. Really, Katherine, you must be careful what you say, or you’ll make me feel very unhappy.”
Katherine caught her by the elbow, and gave it an affectionate little squeeze.
“Don’t be frightened, Miss Propriety, I wouldn’t make you unhappy for the world. But surely you’re going to dance?”
“Some other time. Not to-night. There are too many people here. I shouldn’t enjoy it, and--there are other reasons. This is all so new and strange to me: these brilliant men and beautiful women--the lights, the music, everything--it is as if I had stepped into another world; something I had read about, or perhaps dreamed about, and never expected to see.”
“Why, you dear girl, I’m not going to dance either, then.”
“Oh, yes, you will, Katherine; you must.”
“I couldn’t be so selfish as to leave you here all alone.”
“It isn’t selfish at all, Katherine. I shall enjoy myself completely here. I don’t really wish to talk to any one, but simply to enjoy my dream, with just a little fear at the bottom of my heart that I shall suddenly wake up, rubbing my eyes, in the sewing room.”