They were done tuning up the violins and all the air was soft with the natural melody of birds and whispering winds. This was broken by a stentorian shout, and men and maids fell into places. Pierre grasped Jeanne"s hand so tightly that she winced. With the other hand he caught one of the streamers. There was a great scramble for them. And when, as soon as the dancing was in earnest, a young fellow had to let his streamer go in turning his partner, some one caught it and a merry shout rang through the group.
"How stupid you are!" cried Rose to Martin. "Why did you not catch that streamer? Now we are on the outside." She pouted her pretty lips. "Are you bewitched with Pierre and Jeanne?"
"How beautifully she dances, and Pierre for a clumsy, big fellow is not bad."
Hugh Pallent had caught a streamer and held out his hand to Rose.
"Well, amuse yourself with looking at them, Monsieur," returned Rose pettishly. "As for me, I came to dance," and Pallent whisked her off.
Martin"s eyes followed them, other eyes as well.
Pierre threw his streamer with a sleight of hand one would hardly have looked for, and caught it again amid the cheers of his companions. Round they went, only once losing their place in the whole circle. The violins flew faster, the dancing grew almost furious, eyes sparkled and cheeks bloomed.
"I am tired," Jeanne said, and lagging she half drew Pierre out of the circle.
"Tired! I could dance forever with you."
"But you must not. See how the mothers are watching you for a chance, and the girls will be proud enough to have you ask them."
"I am not going to;" shrugging his square shoulders.
"Oh, yes, you are!" with a pretty air of authority.
Jeanne saw envious eyes wandering in her direction. She did not know how she outshone most of the girls, with an air that was so different from the ordinary. Her white cotton gown had a strip of bright, curiously worked embroidery above the hem and around the square neck that gave her exquisite throat full play. The sleeves came to the elbow, and both hands and arms were beautiful. Her skin was many shades fairer, her cheeks like the heart of a rose, and her mouth dimpled in the corners.
Her lithe figure had none of the squareness of the ordinary habitan, and every movement was grace itself.
"If you will not dance, let us walk, then. I have so much to say--"
"There will be all summer to say it in. And there is only one May dance.
Susette!"
Susette came with sparkling eyes.
"This young man is dance bewitched. See how he has changed. We can hardly believe it is the Pierre we used to run races and climb trees with in nutting time. And he knows how to dance;" laughing.
Pierre held out his hand, but there was a shade of reluctance in his eyes.
"I thought you were never going to throw over that great giant," said Martin Lavosse. "I suppose every girl will go crazy about him because he has been up north and made some money. His father has planned to take him into business. Jeanne, dance with me."
"No, not now. I am tired."
"I should think you would be, pulled around at that rate. Look, Susette can hardly keep up, and her braids have tumbled."
"Did I look like that?" asked Jeanne with sudden disapprobation in her tone.
"Oh, no, no! You were like--like the fairies and wood things old Mere Michaud tells of. Your hair just floated around like a cloud full of twilight--"
"No, the black ones when the thunderstorm is coming on," she returned mischievously.
"It was beautiful and full of waves. And you are so straight and slim.
You just floated."
"And you watched me and lost your streamer twice. Rose did not like it."
He was a little jealous and a little vexed at Rose giving him the go by in such a pointed manner. He would get even with her.
"Why did you go off so early? We all went up for you."
"I wanted to gather flowers for the shrines."
"But we could have gone, too."
"No, it would have been too late. It was such a pleasure to Pani. She can"t dance, you know."
"Let us walk around and see the tables."
They were being spread out on the green sward, planks raised a foot or so, for every one would sit on the gra.s.s. Some of the Indian women had booths, and were already selling birch and sa.s.safras beer, pipes and tobacco, and maple sugar. Little ones were running helter-skelter, tumbling down and getting up without a whimper. Here a knot of men were playing cards or dominoes. It was a pretty scene, and needed only cavaliers and the glittering, stately stepping dames to make it a picture of old France.
They were all tired and breathless with the dance presently, and threw themselves around on the gra.s.s for a bit of rest. There was laughing and chattering, and bright eyes full of mirth sent coquettish glances first on this side, then on that. Susette had borne off her partner in triumph to see her mother, and there were old neighbors welcoming and complimenting Pierre De Ber.
"Pierre," said a stout fellow banteringly, "you have shown us your improvement in dancing. As I remember you were a rather clumsy boy, too big for your years. Now they are going to try feats of skill and strength. After that we shall have some of the Indian women run a race.
Monsieur De Ber, we shall be glad to count you in, if you have the daring to compete with the stay-at-homes."
"For shame, Hugh! What kind of an invitation is that? Pierre, you do not look as if you had spent all your prowess in dancing;" glancing admiringly at the big fellow.
"You will see. Give me a trial." Pierre was nettled at the first speaker"s tone. "I have not been up on the Mich for nothing. You fellows think the river and Lake St. Clair half the world. You should see Lake Michigan and Lake Superior."
"Yes, Pierre," spoke up another. "You used to be good on a jump. Come and try to distance us stay-at-homes, if you haven"t grown too heavy."
They were marking off a place for the jumping on a level, and at a short distance hurdles of different heights had been put up.
Pierre had been the b.u.t.t of several things in his boyish days, but, though a heavy lad, often excelled in jumping. The chaffing stirred his spirit. He would show what he could do. And Jeanne should see it. What did he care for Susette"s shining eyes!
Two or three supple young fellows, two older ones with a well-seasoned appearance, stood on the mark. Pierre eyed it.
"No," he said, "it is not fair. I"m a sight heavier than those. And I won"t take the glory from them. But if you are all agreed I"ll try the other."
"Why, man, the other is a deal harder."
Pierre nodded indifferently.
The first started like a young athlete; a running jump and it fell short. There was a great laugh of derision. But the second was more successful and a shout went up. The next one leaped over the mark. Four of them won.
Rose was piqued that Martin should sit all this while on the gra.s.s chatting to Jeanne. She came around to them.
"Pierre is going to jump," she announced. "I"m sorry, but they badgered him into it. They were really envious of his dancing."
Jeanne rose. "I do wonder where Pani is!" she said. "Shall we go nearer?"