Escapade by Joan Smith

, if I have remembered the title correctly,” she said with an innocent stare. “I could not but think the cure worse than the disease, when he started writing of ‘vomits, purges and sweats in a great degree.’ I made sure he was a quack. I do not recommend it to anyone."
    “I personally put complete faith in James's Powders,” he said, equally seriously, till he saw her catch her lower lip between her teeth, at which point he too broke down and laughed.
    “So you refuse to come and dance with me?” he asked again.
    “These withered limbs could not stand such dissipation,” she told him, yet she was regretting her refusal. She would not so much mind stepping on his toes, now that she saw he had a sense of humor.
    “If they could withstand balancing on that blasted raft in the middle of a pond, they can withstand a waltz. Come now, you cost me a guinea with your race, and I demand a forfeit."
    “What strange ideas of hospitality prevail in the homes of the aristocracy,” she lamented, but she arose with no reluctance as Sara started up the music. “And if I step all over you, it is your own fault,” she added.
    “You are relieved of all responsibility to my toes,” he assured her as he took her in his arms. “And to think, I warned your aunt only yesterday she ought to teach you how to converse in polite society."
    “So she told me, and you may imagine how pleased I was to hear it!"
    “Ah, I counted on Sara to be more discreet. Blurted it right out, did she?"
    “She did, but I have the irrational habit of not listening to people who tell me what to do. It is the result of an old nanny who used to make me do all manner of unpleasant things when I was in the schoolroom. Always for my own good, of course, only they never did me any good that I could see. What is the good of stitching a sampler so ugly your own mama refused to hang it in the house, or finishing your bread and butter, when it makes you so full you can't finish your sweet?"
    “Very true."
    “And what is the point in talking politely to you, when you are just looking for the chance to give me a set-down, as you did to others of your invited guests, within my hearing yesterday."
    “I am not likely to try giving you a setdown, however, if by any chance you should turn civil towards me. I make no doubt you would best me."
    “I cannot think it would be at all difficult,” she smiled.
    “Touché! And now that you have floored me, I'll smother you in remorse by congratulating you on your inspired notion of having a frog race. What have you planned for us tomorrow?"
    “One can have a deal of fun at ducks and drakes if it is properly handled."
    “How is it done at Fairmont? All rules and regulations, I suppose?"
    “But of course, with stiff penalties for those who fail to skip their stone at least twice."
    “Poor Miss Sedgley."
    “Oh, she will make you do it for her."
    “Very likely. But please, elaborate as to the sort of penalty awaiting the unskilled."
    “We made Bertie, my brother, hop to the barn and back on one foot, and Sara had to sing a song in French. That sort of thing."
    “That should keep ‘em from being bored to finders for a few hours,” he said. “Peters will bet a monkey he can skip his half a dozen times, and Harley will throw one with his left and right hands simultaneously, and Miss Prentiss will call her stone something clever."
    “They enter into a game with great gusto. That makes it more fun."
    The waltz was over, with no visible mutilation of Clare's toes and with Ella's confidence in good repair. He had not been so bad, once she got over her fear of him. The dancing continued pleasantly till 12:30, when light refreshments were served before they all retired.

Chapter Seven

    No contest of ducks and drakes was held the next day, for England had reverted to typical weather, streaking a fine rain over the verdant countryside, and slate gray skies promising no relief in the near future. Everyone slept late, and as