as long as she
lived she would never forget, never forgive, that laughter.

She was unusually silent and somber for the next three or four days;
she went through her exercises without vim; at her studies she was both
stupid and sullen. When Mrs. Ring's patience was exhausted and her
frayed nerves finally gave out, Allie rounded upon her with a violence
unparalleled. Those previous exhibitions of temper were tame as
compared with this one; the girl spat scorn and bitterness and hatred;
she became a volcano in active eruption.

In a panic Mrs. Ring sought out Gus Briskow and again resigned. By this
time, however, the novelty of her resignation had largely worn off, for
seldom did more than two weeks elapse without a hysterical threat to
quit. But this one required more than the usual amount of persuasion,
and it was not without long and patient pleading, coupled with the
periodical raise, that the father induced her to change her mind. Gus
told himself somberly that the price of Allegheny's education was
mounting so rapidly that it might be the part of economy to take Mrs.
Ring in as a full partner in the Briskow oil wells. He decided, after
some consideration, to wire Calvin Gray and offer to pay his traveling
expenses if he would come to Burlington Notch for a few days.

CHAPTER XIV

One accomplishment that Allegheny mastered with gratifying ease was
dancing. It came naturally to her, for both she and Buddy were full of
music. At first she had been extremely self-conscious; Professor
Delamater had found her to be as heavy as stone and as awkward as a
bear; but later, as her embarrassment became less painful, she relaxed.
She regained her power of speech, also, and in time she voiced an eager
desire to learn all there was to learn.

Having quickly schooled her in the simpler forms of ballroom dancing,
Delamater suggested a course in the deeper intricacies of fancy dancing.

"You're getting on," he told her, one day. "That last was splendid--top
hole, absolutely."

Delamater, who was quite thoroughly American, affected at times an
English turn to his conversation, believing that it gave him an air. It
went particularly well, he thought, with light trousers, spats, and an
afternoon coat cut close at the waist.

"Don't fool me," panted the red-faced Juno. "You must have iron feet."

"My word! Spoof you, indeed! Not for worlds, if you know what I mean? I
shall expect to see you in the ballroom every evening."