She drew adeep breath of the pine-laden
air.
As far as the Denmeades were concerned,her welfare
work had been successful beyond her dreams.
Lucy changed the white dress and slippers for her
riding clothes. What surprises me is that Edd has not made any fuss yet overBud
Spralls attentions to you. Soon the largehall-like place hummed with
voices.
Miss Lucy, I swear Id never asked you again if youd
said that forgood. Shore I heard you the first time, he retorted. After awakening to
thesituation, first through her conversation with Mr. Of course I dont see how you
can avoidthese dances. And that SamJohnson I was nice to him,
deliberately.
What surprises me is that Edd has not made any fuss
yet overBud Spralls attentions to you.
Dont ask me to go to another dance, laughed Lucy.
Our old fiddlers late, said her escort, an I reckon the gang israrin to dance. The
day had been pleasantly warm and was now growing cool. Manifestly he and Edd
werefriends, which fact made the clash devoid of rancour. Wal, shore were no great
shucks at it, but we have fun.
Edd, an honest girl could not marry a man she didnt
love, repliedLucy.
But I was riled an turrible set ontakin
you.
Wal, you said youd another dance with Bud. I am not
joking, he continued more earnestly.
She barely managed to hang on until theyreached
home. Only Lucys tact saved him from utterly neglecting Sadie; and asit was he made
a fool of himself.
That dance you dragged me to curedme of my
vanity.
Thatwould be a humiliation she must not
suffer.
Edd was there beside her, quick tolend a hand.
Asense of gladness filled her at the thought that she could stay
hereindefinitely.
Lucy closed the door and hurriedly set about the
business of dressing.
Sam Johnsonclaimed her for the next dance. Shore I
never wanted any girl to go with me like I do you, he said.
Handsome, yes; Buds good-looking enough and he can
dance. But Sadie Purdue was pretty shore shedid. Youd better stay an let metake care
of you. Ive had enough dancin an gettin even ancrawlin of these here corn-huskers to
last for ever.
I understand, replied Lucy, impressed by his
sincerity. As he took hold of her it was not possible to keep from
stiffeningsomewhat and to hold back.
He hadcertainly disappointed her in that
regard.
Anyway,Ill let you off, just because you wasnt
tricky.
I can hardly be blamed fordancing with Bud Sprall
when I did not know who he was. Lucy had the grace to blush her pleasure.