n't keep the
ladies waiting. Take your hands out of your pockets and get in the game.
Just going to begin, a dreamy waltz or a nice juicy two-step, whichever
you prefer. Hey, professor, strike up that waltz!"

Once more the music swelled out.

"How's that, boys? Doesn't that make your feet like feathers? Come on,
boys! Here you are for the nice, glossy floor and the nice, flossy
girls. Here you are! Here you are! That's right, select your partners!
Swing your honeys! Hurry up there! Just a-goin' to begin. What's the
matter with you fellows? Wake up! a dance won't break you. Come on!
don't be a cheap skate. The girls are fine, fit and fairy-like, the
music's swell and the floor's elegant. Come on, boys!"

There was a compelling power in his voice, and already a number of
couples were waltzing round. The women were exquisite in their grace and
springy lightness. They talked as they danced, gazing with languishing
eyes and siren smiles at the man of the moment.

Some of them, who had not got partners, were picking out individuals
from the crowd and coaxing them to come forward. A drunken fellow
staggered onto the floor and grabbed a girl. She was young, dainty and
pretty, but she showed no repugnance for him. Round and round he
cavorted, singing and whooping, a wild, weird object; when, suddenly, he
tripped and fell, bringing her down with him. The crowd roared; but the
girl good-naturedly picked him up, and led him off to the bar.

A man in a greasy canvas suit with mucklucks on his feet had gone onto
the floor. His hair was long and matted, his beard wild and rank. He
was dancing vehemently, and there was the glitter of wild excitement in
his eyes. He looked as if he had not bathed for years, but again I could
see no repulsion in the face of the handsome brunette with whom he was
waltzing. Dance after dance they had together, locked in each other's
arms.

"That's a 'live one,'" said the Youth. "He's just come in from Dominion
with a hundred ounces, and it won't last him over the night. Amber,
there, will get it all. She won't let the other girls go near. He's her
game."

Between dances the men promenaded to the bar and treated their
companions to a drink. In the same free, trusting way they threw over
their pokes to the bartender and had the price weighed out. The dances
were very short, and the drinks very frequent.

Madder and madder grew the merriment. The air was hot; the odour of
patchouli mingled with the