saidagain'itgivesmethesick.Let's'avesomethin'abitmorelivelythanthis'erewaltz.Youstandoverthere,Sally,an'we'llshow'em'owterskirtdance.'
Theyallstoppedwaltzing.
'TalkoftheballetattheCanterburyandSouthLondon.YoujustwitetillyouseetheballetatVereStreet,Lambeth—we'llknock'em!'
Shewentuptotheorgan-grinder.
'Nathen,Italiano,'shesaidtohim,'youbuckupgiveusatunethat'sgotsomegutsinit!See?'
Shecaughtholdofhisbighatandsquasheditdownoverhiseyes.Themangrinnedfromeartoear,and,touchingthelittlecatchattheside,begantoplayalivelytunesuchasLizahadaskedfor.
Themenhadfallenout,butseveralgirlshadputthemselvesinposition,incouples,standingfacetofaceandimmediatelythemusicstruckup,theybegan.Theyhelduptheirskirtsoneachside,soastoshowtheirfeet,andproceededtogothroughthedifficultstepsandmotionsofthedance.Lizawasrighttheycouldnothavedoneitbetterinatrainedballet.ButthebestdancerofthemallwasLizashethrewherwholesoulintoitforgettingthestiffbearingwhichshehadthoughtpropertothewaltz,andcastingoffitselaborategraces,shegaveherselfupentirelytothepresentpleasure.Graduallytheothercouplesstoodaside,sothatLizaandSallywereleftalone.Theypaceditcarefully,watchingeachother'ssteps,andasifbyinstinctperformingcorrespondingmovements,soastomakethewholeathingofsymmetry.
'I'mabahtdone,'saidSally,blowingandpuffing.'I've'adenoughofit.'
'Goon,Liza!'criedoutadozenvoiceswhenSallystopped.
Shegavenosignofhavingheardthemotherthancalmlytocontinueherdance.Sheglidedthroughthesteps,andswayedabout,andmanipulatedherskirt,allwiththemostcharminggraceimaginable,then,themusicaltering,shechangedthestyleofherdancing,herfeetmovedmorequickly,anddidnotkeepsostrictlytotheground.Shewasgettingexcitedattheadmirationoftheonlookers,andherdancegrewwilderandmoredaring.Sheliftedherskirtshigher,broughtinnewandmoredifficultmovementsintoherimprovisation,kickingupherlegsshedidthewonderfultwist,backwardsandforwards,ofwhichthedancerisproud.
'Lookat'erlegs!'criedoneofthemen.
'