I'd sooner dance with you than any of 'em." It was naively spoken, so naively that Merryon's faint smile turned into something that was almost genial.

What a youngster she was! Her freshness was a perpetual source of wonder to him when he remembered whence she had come to him.
"I am quite willing to be taught," he said.

"But it must be in strict privacy." She nodded gaily.
"Of course.

You shall have a lesson to-night--when we get back from the Burtons' dinner.

I'm real sorry you were bored, Billikins.