Girls grow up quicker , so she need n't put on airs and talk like a grandmother , ' muttered Dolly , feeling that he had sacrificed his kids upon the altar of an ungrateful Pallas . ` Come along and let 's find something to eat . I 'm faint with so much talking . Old Plock cornered me and made my head spin with Kant and Hegel and that lot . ' ' I promised Dora West I 'd give her a turn . Must look her up ; she 's a jolly little thing , and does n't bother about anything but keeping in step . ' And arm in arm the boys strolled away , leaving Alice to read music as diligently as if society had indeed no charms for her . As she bent to turn a page , the eager young man behind the piano saw the rose and was struck speechless with delight . A moment he gazed , then hastened to seize the coveted place before a new detachment of bores arrived . ` Alice , I ca n't believe it -- did you understand -- how shall I ever thank you ? ' murmured Demi , bending as if he , too , read the song , not a note or word of which did he see , however . ` Hush ! not now . I understood -- I do n't deserve it -- we are too young , we must wait , but -- I 'm very proud and happy , John ! ' What would have happened after that tender whisper I tremble to think , if Tom Bangs had not come bustling up , with the cheerful remark : ` Music ? just the thing . People are thinning out , and we all want a little refreshment . My brain fairly reels with the ` ologies and ` isms I 've heard discussed tonight . Yes , give us this ; sweet thing ! Scotch songs are always charming . '
Demi glowered ; but the obtuse boy never saw it , and XXXXX , feeling that this would be a safe vent for sundry unruly emotions , sat down at once , and sang the song which gave her answer better than she could have done : BIDE A WEE ` The puir auld folk at home , ye mind , Are frail and failing sair ; And weel I ken they 'd miss me , lad , Gin I come hame nae mair .
Alice Bangs Demi Dolly Hegel John Pallas Plock West isms