Had he
been my partner I should have suggested a polka, the tango not being
the sort of dance that can be picked up in an evening. What I mean
to say is, that he struck me as being more willing than experienced.
Some of the bumps she got would have made me cross; but we all have
our fancies, and, so far as I could judge, they both appeared to be
enjoying themselves. It was after the "Hitchy Koo" that they came
outside.
The seat to the left of the door is popular by reason of its being
partly screened by bushes, but by leaning forward a little it is
quite possible for me to see what goes on there. They were the
first couple out, having had a bad collision near the bandstand, so
easily secured it. The gentleman was laughing.
There was something about him from the first that made me think I
knew him, and when he took off his hat to wipe his head it came to
me all of a sudden, he being the exact image of his effigy at Madame
Tussaud's, which, by a curious coincidence, I happened to have
visited with a friend that very afternoon. The lady was what some
people would call good-looking, and others mightn't.
I was watching them, naturally a little interested. Mr. Parable, in
helping the lady to adjust her cloak, drew her--it may have been by
accident--towards him; and then it was that a florid gentleman with
a short pipe in his mouth stepped forward and addressed the lady.
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