On a great improvised open pavilion set up in the Hither Woods,
garlanded and hung thick with multi-coloured paper lanterns, dancing had
already begun; but Selwyn and Eileen lingered on the lawn for a while,
fascinated by the beauty of the fireworks pouring skyward from the
_Niobrara_.
"They seem to be very gay aboard her," murmured the girl. "Once you said
that you did not like Mr. Neergard. Do you remember saying it?"
He replied simply, "I don't like him; and I remember saying so."
"It is strange," she said, "that Gerald does."
Selwyn looked at the illuminated yacht. . . . "I wonder whether any of
Neergard's crowd is expected ashore here. Do you happen to know?"
She did not know. A moment later, to his annoyance, Edgerton Lawn came
up and asked her to dance; and she went with a smile and a whispered:
"Wait for me--if you don't mind. I'll come back to you."
It was all very well to wait for her--and even to dance with her after
that; but there appeared to be no peace for him in prospect, for Scott
Innis came and took her away, and Gladys Orchil offered herself to him
very prettily, and took him away; and after that, to his perplexity and
consternation, a perfect furor for him seemed to set in and grow among
the younger set, and the Minster twins had him, and Hilda Innis
appropriated him, and Evelyn Cardwell, and even Mrs.
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