The true northerner., 1912-12-27
HER MODEST OPINION
BY JAMES JOLLY.


class pirouetted few times in front
of the visitor, who rewarded her ef-
forts with beaming smile. Thus en-
couraged, the younger pupil climbed
up on the chair beside the visitor and
folded her plump hands In her white
muslin lap.
Don't you think ! dance very nice
ly?" she inquired, after a moments
silence. Last year ! came six, four,
two, eleven times, but this year /
come all the time"
How very NICE" said the visitor
enthusiastically. "And how do you
like it?"
The youngest members eyes dane
ed. "Oh, love 1t, very much" she
conf1ded, "and can dance very well
now" Her face clouded slightly.
Bob won't dance with me, though.
He doesn't like to-"
That's very strange" said the
visitor. II wonder whyT
ri don't know" replied the young
est pupil, shaking her head. HE says
I haven't been coming long enough.
He says next year he'll dance with
me II want him to-"
That's something to hook forward
to, anyway" said the visitor encour.
agingly (Which one Is Bob?"
The youngest pupil waved a hand IN
the direction of the group OF boys.
who were going through some exer-
cises that were prescribed by the
rules Of no dancing school
Hes that one that's fighting with
Horace" she said calmly. Horace.
he won't dance with me, either. He
says I'm too little"
"Well, time Will cure that" said
the visitor sympathetically.
"Next year III be big girl" the
smallest pupil went on to explain.
I'm Ave now and next year I'll be
twelve"
Indeed" said the visitor, some
what startled at this rapid flight OF
time. "And then ] suppose you'll be
as old as Bob and Horace"
'IIl be older" announced the
small girl. -four. ten years older
She patted down her abbreviated ruf.
fed skirts carefully and ran her little
red tongue over her lips. She glanc.
ed at the visitor out of the corner OF
her eye.
''I can sing. too" she said
The visitors face was filled with
wonder, eager anticipation and with
: suppressed excitement.
81 know some pretty, pretty songs,
went on the youngest pupil, "and
sing them very, very nicely" She
i bobbed her head up and down violent
ly two or three times in keen appre
citation OF her own accomplishments
'T would sing you one," she said, "bu
the dancing lady won't let me sin!
here. | did sing once and she sale
it was very nice, but she thought
better wait and sing when | got home
So now | wait"
That's very discreet of you, but !
seems to me the dancing lady didn'
show much appreciation of your voca
accomplishments"
The songstress weighed this in he
mind.
"No." she replied after a moment
But then / think maybe she hasn'
got any. She's a very nice lady" sh
, concluded.
For some reason the visitor cough
ed behind her handkerchief.
81 don't doubt it," she agreed whel
she had slightly recovered from he
cough. "It may be that she jus
lacks the artistic temperament. Som
people are very materialistic, yo
, know"
Eyes. I know" agreed the younges
, pupil courteously.
The two companions sat watchin
the children dance for few minutes
q How nicely the little girls dance,
: said the visitor presently. "Whic
v one do you think dances the best?'
The youngest pupil pondered 9
D lently. her head cooked on one Sid
4 like a contemplative robin.
T know" she said after whil
;. but guess I'd better not tell"
y "Why not?" queried the visito
D "If you'll tell me. then I'll tell yo
I which one think is the best dancer
d 81 guess I better not" reaffirme
n the small pupil. But I'll tell yo
r how she's dressed"
y DO" urged the visitor.
"She's got on a white dress" sal
the mite, smoothing down her daint
little frock tenderly, "and whit
!. shoes"-she held up first one foot an
h then the other and looked at the
1. admiringly-"andp pink ribbons on h
n hair" She gave her head a quic
v little turn and was rewarded by II
II vanishing view of the end OF a bi
t. pink bow. But guess I'd better n
3, tell you her name"
T. 'I wish you would tell me-" beggt
d the visitor. "T won't tell soul"
If 'T guess I'd better not" reiterat'
r. the small pupil. She slipped dow
y off her chair. "Now I guess I'll {
g ask Frank to dance with me. Som
b. times, you know, he will"
III I'm awfully sorry to have you &c
h said the visitor, "but l hope FraI
n will dance with you and that you
n have a nice time"