One of the younger girls seemed a little frightened for a moment as
she caught the eye of a waiter fastened upon her in anything but a
respectful glance, and gave the fellow such a look in return that he
dropped a napkin in his confusion. "I tell you, Bill," he said to his
companion at the bar, where he had gone to get more drinks for the
company, "that's a fast lot all right, but there's one in the bunch
that can't go the pace."
But the waiter was evidently mistaken, for that same girl, after a
glance around which revealed to her that she and her companions were
the center of all eyes, tossed her head as though getting rid of some
unpleasant thoughts, and turning to her escort, with a reckless laugh,
asked him why he kept the best for himself. "I don't think it fair,
girls," she declared in a loud voice. "We have as good a right to that
nice wine as the boys have. I move that we make them treat us as well
as they treat themselves."
"Done," cried one of the men before the others could object, even had
they so desired; and in a moment another bottle, with more glasses,
was set before them. The girl who had proposed the thing only drank
a little. Something seemed to choke her when she lifted the glass to
her lips, and she set it down again almost untasted. "Ugh," she said,
"I don't like it," and a laugh went around at her expense.
"Take it. Take it. You must. You started it you know."
"I can't," she protested. "Here Jim," to her companion, who had already
taken more than was good for him.
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