Jem 'll be off , I 'll bet a cent -- Walter wo n't be strong enough yet , I suppose . And Jerry Meredith -- he 'll go ! And I was worrying about being out of football this year ! '' Rilla was too startled to say anything . Jem -- and Jerry ! Nonsense ! Why father and Mr. Meredith would n't allow it . They were n't through college . Oh , why had n't Jack Elliott kept his horrid news to himself ? Mark Warren came up and asked her to dance . Rilla went , knowing Kenneth did n't care whether she went or stayed . An hour ago on the sand-shore he had been looking at her as if she were the only being of any importance in the world . And now she was nobody . His thoughts were full of this Great Game which was to be played out on bloodstained fields with empires for stakes -- a Game in which womenkind could have no part . Women , thought Rilla miserably , just had to sit and cry at home . But all this was foolishness . Kenneth could n't go -- he admitted that himself -- and Walter could n't -- thank goodness for that -- and Jem and Jerry would have more sense . She would n't worry -- she would enjoy herself . But how awkward Mark Warren was ! How he bungled his steps !
Why , for mercy 's sake , did boys try XXXXX dance who did n't know the first thing about dancing ; and who had feet as big as boats ?
Jerry Rilla at for of on that through to whether