"You'll be there, won't you?" he asked. "Please say you're
going."

Alice did not respond at once, and he urged her again: "Please do
promise you'll be there."

"No, I can't promise anything," she said, slowly. "You see, for
one thing, papa might not be well enough."

"But if he is?" said Russell. "If he is you'll surely come,
won't you? Or, perhaps----" He hesitated, then went on quickly,
"I don't know the rules in this place yet, and different places
have different rules; but do you have to have a chaperone, or
don't girls just go to dances with the men sometimes? If they
do, would you--would you let me take you?"

Alice was startled. "Good gracious!"

"What's the matter?"

"Don't you think your relatives---- Aren't you expected to go
with Mildred--and Mrs. Palmer?"

"Not necessarily. It doesn't matter what I might be expected to
do," he said. "Will you go with me?"

"I---- No; I couldn't."

"Why not?"