You'll find
a looking-glass in the room behind the bar."
The gentlemen stepped over Neddy, politely gave their hands to the
ladies, and helped them over the human obstacle.
When everything was ready, Mother Murden sat down by the
barrel-organ, took hold of the handle, and addressed her guests:
"Now boys, choose your girls."
[ILLUSTRATION 4]
The biggest bully, a "conditional pardon" man of the year 1839, acted
as master of the ceremonies, and called out the figures. He also
appropriated the belle of the ball as his partner.
The dancing began with great spirit, but as the night wore on the
music grew monotonous. There were only six tunes in the organ, and
not all the skill and energy of Mother Murden could grind one more
out of it.
Neddy lay across the doorway, and was never disturbed. He did not
wake in time to take any part in the festive scene, being dead. Now
and then a few of the dancers stepped over him, and remarked, "Neddy
is having a good rest." In the cool night air they walked to and
fro, then, returning to the ball-room, they took a little
refreshment, and danced to the same old tunes, until they were tired.
Mother Murden's first ball was a grand success for all but Neddy.
"No sleep till morn when youth and pleasure meet,
To chase the glowing hours with flying feet."
But morn reveals unsuspected truths, and wrinkled invisible in the
light of tallow candles.
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