What Patty really wanted was to see Mr. Cameron dance; and in a few
moments he went past them with Elise.

"That man's all round clever," commented Kenneth. "He dances just as
he plays the violin, exquisitely. Why, Patty, he's a poem in patent
leathers!"

Sure enough, Kit Cameron was an unusually fine dancer, and Patty
felt a slow blush rising to her cheeks, as she remembered what she
had said to him, and realised he must have thought her vain of her
dancing.

For once, Patty felt honestly ashamed of herself. She had implied
that she was such a fine dancer she didn't care to dance with any
one unskilled in the art.

But after all, this was not quite Patty's attitude. When a stranger
was introduced to her, she was quite willing to dance with him,
whether he danced well or not. But as to Mr. Cameron, Patty liked
him so much and so enjoyed his beautiful music, that she really felt
it would be a shock to their friendship if he danced awkwardly.

And, too, she never for a moment supposed he would take her at her
word. She had supposed he would insist upon the dance, even after
her hesitation.

"What's the matter Patty?" said Kenneth; "you look as though you'd
lost your last friend!"

"I'm not sure but I have," said Patty, smiling a little. For