The farmer and his good wife seemed to be enjoying the picture, since it must have reminded them of somewhat similar episodes in their own younger years, when life seemed buoyant, and without any trouble such as time always brings in its train.
Soon the first dance started, and immediately the floor was covered with happy couples whirling in the maze of a waltz.

More vehicles arrived, and others joined in the festivities.

This continued for two solid hours, with brief respites to allow both musicians and dancers a chance to "rest up." Then some of the girls were called upon to pass into the kitchen of the farmhouse to start work at getting supper ready; though none of the boys were allowed to accompany them, being told that they would only interfere with the work.
It happened that among those who took this duty on themselves were both Ivy and Sue, so that Hugh and Thad found they were without partners.
They were feeling a bit fatigued in the bargain, and following the example of several other fellows who were in the same fix, they strolled outside for a breath of cool air, taking care to pick up their overcoats, as they were flushed from exercise.
Here Thad demanded that Hugh explain what his strange words meant with reference to Owen Dugdale.

He listened while the other told the story in low tones; for while they believed themselves alone in the moonlight, it was always possible that some other fellow might be loitering close by, and thus overhear what was not intended for his ears.
Thad of course was deeply interested by what he heard.

He, too, declared that it seemed preposterous to think that Owen could demean himself so much as to deliberately steal what belonged to the queer old French madame.