The unfortunate young man tried to repulse her with an icy stare, but this effort having obtained little to encourage his feeble hope of driving her away, he shifted his chair so that his back was toward her discomfiting pantomime.

He should have known better, the instant result was Mrs.Dowling in motion at an impetuous waddle.
She entered the box-tree seclusion with the lower rotundities of her face hastily modelled into the resemblance of an over-benevolent smile a contortion which neglected to spread its intended geniality upward to the exasperated eyes and anxious forehead.
"I think your mother wants to speak to you, Frank," Alice said, upon this advent.
Mrs.Dowling nodded to her.

"Good evening, Miss Adams," she said.

"I just thought as you and Frank weren't dancing you wouldn't mind my disturbing you----" "Not at all," Alice murmured.
Mr.Dowling seemed of a different mind.

"Well, what DO you want ?" he inquired, whereupon his mother struck him roguishly with her fan.
"Bad fellow!" She turned to Alice.