Page:Life's little ironies (1894).pdf/221
objection to too close quarters by the lady’s proper man, as time paased there was a little more closeness between ‘em; and presently a little more closeness still.
“The later it got the more did each of the two cousins dance with the wrong young girl, and the tighter did he hold her te his side as he whirled her round; and, what was very remarkable, neither seemed to mind what the other was doing. The party began to draw towards ita end, and J saw no more that night, being one of the first to leave, on account of my serious calling. But I learned the rest of it from those that knew,
“After finishing a particularly warming dance with the changed partners, as I’ve mentioned, the two young men looked at one another, and in a moment or two went out into the porch together.
“'James,’ says Steve, ‘ what were you thinking of when you were dancing with my Olive?”
“Well, said James, ‘perhaps what you were thinking of when you were dancing with my Emily,’
“‘It was thinking,’ said Steve, with some hesitation, ‘that I wouldn’t mind changing for good and all !'
“It was what I was feeling likewise,’ said James,
“I willingly agree to it, if you think we could manage it.’
“So do I. But what would the girls say?”
«Tis my belief, said Steve, ‘that they wonldn’t particularly object. Your Emily clung as close to me as if she already belonged to me, dear girl.’
“And your Olive to me,’ says James. ‘I could feel her heart beating like a clock,’
“ Well, they agreed to put it to the girls when they were all four walking home together. And they did so. When they parted that night the exchange was