a hint Dr. Alec had given
him.

"I hope you will catch it, because you'll be so funny."

"Will you take care of me as you did before, or have you got your hands
full?"

"I'll help, but really with Archie and Steve and Charlie, I shall have
enough to do. You'd better take it lightly the first time, and so won't
need much care."

"Very well, how shall I begin? Enlighten my ignorance and start me
right, I beg."

"Go about and see people, make yourself agreeable, and not sit in
corners observing other people as if they were puppets dancing for your
amusement. I heard Mrs. Van once say that propinquity works wonders, and
she ought to know, having married off two daughters, and just engaged a
third to 'a most charming young man.'?

"Good lack! The cure sounds worse than the disease. Propinquity, hey?
Why, I may be in danger this identical moment and can't flee for my
life," said Mac, gently catching her round the waist for a general
waltz.

"Don't be alarmed, but mind your steps, for Charlie is looking at us,
and I want you to do your best. That's perfect take me quite round, for
I love to waltz and seldom get a good turn except with you boys," said
Rose, smiling up at him approvingly as his strong arm guided her among
the revolving couples and his feet kept time without a fault.

"This certainly is a great improvement on the chair business, to which
I have devoted myself with such energy that I've broken the backs of two
partners and dislocated the arm of the old rocker. I took an occasional
turn with that heavy party, thinking it good practice in case I ever
happen to dance with stout ladies." And Mac nodded toward Annabel,
pounding gaily with Mr. Tokio, whose yellow countenance beamed as his
beady eyes rested on his plump fiancee.

Pausing in the midst of her merriment at the image of Mac and the old
rocking chair, Rose said reprovingly, "Though a heathen Chinee, Fun puts
you to shame, for he did not ask foolish questions but went a-wooing
like a sensible little man, and I've no doubt Annabel will be very
happy."

"Choose me a suitable divinity and I will try to adore. Can I do more
than that to retrieve my character?" answered Mac, safely landing his
partner and plying the fan according to instructions.

"How would Emma do?" inquired Rose, whose sense of the ludicrous was
strong and who could not resist the temptation of horrifying Mac by the
suggestion.

"Never! It sets my teeth on edge to look at her t