Again the couples paraded. The swing doors opened and shut. Now new music was given out
by the bandmaster. But Leila didn't want to dance any more. She wanted to be Home, or sitting
on the veranda listening to those baby owls. When she looked through the dark
windows at the stars, they had long beams like wings ...
But presently
a soft, melting, ravishing tune began, and a young man with curly hair bowed
before her. She would have to dance, out of politeness, until she could find
Meg. Very stiffly she walked into the middle; very haughtily she put her hand on
his sleeve. But in one minute, in one turn, her feet glided, glided. The lights,
the azaleas, the dresses, the pink faces, the velvet chairs, all became one
beautiful flying wheel. And when her next partner bumped her into the fat man
and he said, "Pardon," she smiled at him more radiantly than ever. She didn't
even recognise him again.
by the bandmaster. But Leila didn't want to dance any more. She wanted to be Home, or sitting
on the veranda listening to those baby owls. When she looked through the dark
windows at the stars, they had long beams like wings ...
But presently
a soft, melting, ravishing tune began, and a young man with curly hair bowed
before her. She would have to dance, out of politeness, until she could find
Meg. Very stiffly she walked into the middle; very haughtily she put her hand on
his sleeve. But in one minute, in one turn, her feet glided, glided. The lights,
the azaleas, the dresses, the pink faces, the velvet chairs, all became one
beautiful flying wheel. And when her next partner bumped her into the fat man
and he said, "Pardon," she smiled at him more radiantly than ever. She didn't
even recognise him again.
