is commonly described as a steely look.

Puffy did not pursue the subject and the chip on Skippy's shoulder
remained unchallenged.

How Hickey danced! The days had not arrived when acrobatic feats had
invaded the decorum of the ballroom, and such simple departures from the
routine as dos-a-dos and single hand were enough to provoke envy and
astonishment.

Skippy forgot his irritation as he watched the graceful guiding of his
rival. Hickey certainly could dance! He admitted it. Never with or
without the assistance of a dressmaker's manikin could he ever hope to
rival him in this accomplishment. He went dutifully to claim his turn
with the faithless one. His heart was acutely torn and he knew the
peculiar delight he was affording his numerous friends, but he forced a
smile of indifference. Besides, in his fertile imagination he had the
glimmerings of a stratagem.

"I've saved the fifth two-step and the seventh waltz for you," said
Dolly, squeezing his arm ever so lightly, "though you haven't asked me
yet."

The summer was long and she was quite aware that in another ten days the
resplendent Mr. Hicks would pass as Shelley had passed. Besides she
secretly admired Skippy's sporting manner in adversity.

"Awfully good of you," he said lightly, "but see here, Dolly, don't
bother about me. Hickey's got us all skinned hollow when it comes to
this game. Go ahead, keep on dancing with him. Go as far as you like."

"My, but he waltzes divinely!" said Dolly, relieved.

"He's a wonder, all right, and a cracker-jack at anything he touches!
Sambones says he'll make the varsity, certain next year."

"What happened about his leaving school?"

"That--that was an outrage," said Skippy, who would have scorned to
attack a rival meanly. "I'll tell you all about that."

"You're sure you don't mind my dancing so much with him?" said Dolly,
who had allowed Hickey to cut in six dances running.

"I? Bless you, no!"

"It's just his wonderful dancing," said Dolly, looking down.

"Don't blame you. He is A No. 1 with his feet all right," said Skippy,
and he added carelessly, "wonderful how he manages it, too, with his
infirmity."

"His infirmity?" said Dolly, startled.

"Did I say infirmity?" said Skippy, pretending surprise. "For heaven's
sake, don't tell any one. Gee, I shouldn't have said that."

"Yes, but what infirmity?" said Dolly, now in a high state of
excitement.

Skippy compressed his lips to show that they were for