“Nothing can be done; we shall have to give the ball up for to-night unless you can get Madelon Hautville to lilt for the dancing,” returned one, and the other nodded assent.  “That’s the state of the case,” said he.

Burr scraped a foot impatiently on the waxed floor.  “Go and ask her yourself, Daniel Plympton,” said he.  “I don’t see why it has all got to come on to me.”

“Can’t,” replied Daniel Plympton, with a laugh.  “Remember the falling out Eugene and I had at the house-raising?  I ain’t going to his house to ask his sister to lilt for my dancing.”

“You, then, Abner Little,” said Burr, peremptorily, to the other young man.  He had a fair, nervous face, and he was screwing his forehead anxiously over the situation.

“Can’t nohow, Burr,” said he.  “I’ve got to drive four miles home, and milk, and take care of the horses, and shave, and get dressed, and then drive another three miles for my girl.  I’m going to take one of the Morse girls, over at Summer Falls.  I haven’t got time to go down to the Hautvilles’, and that’s the truth, Burr.”

“You’ll have to go yourself, Burr,” said Daniel Plympton, with a half-laugh.

“I can’t,” said Burr, “and I won’t, if we give the ball up.”

“What will all the out-of-town folks say?”

“I don’t care what they say—­they can play forfeits.”

“Forfeits!” returned Daniel Plympton with scorn.  “What’s kissing to dancing?” Daniel Plympton was somewhat stout but curiously light of foot, and accounted the best dancer in town.  As he spoke he sprang up on his toes as if he had winged heels.  “Forfeits!” repeated he, jerking his great flaxen head.

“Well, you can go yourself, then, and ask Madelon Hautville to lilt,” said Burr.

“I tell you I can’t, Burr—­I ain’t mean enough.”

“Well, I won’t, and that’s flat.”

“I’ve got to go home, anyway,” said Abner Little.  “What I want to know is—­is there going to be any ball?”

“Oh, get your girl anyhow, Ab,” returned Daniel, with a great laugh; “there’ll be something.  If there ain’t dancing, there’ll be kissing, and that’ll suit her just as well.  And if she can’t get enough here, why there’s the ride home.  Lord, I’d get a girl nearer home!  You’ve got to drive six miles out of your way to Summer Falls and back.  As for me, the quicker I get a girl off my hands the better.  I’m going to take Nancy Blake because she lives next door to the tavern.  Go along with ye, Ab; Burr and I will settle it some way.”

But it looked for some time after Abner Little left as if there would be no ball that night.  They could not have any dance unless Madelon Hautville would sing for it, and both Daniel Plympton and Burr Gordon were determined not to ask her.

At half-past seven Madelon was all dressed for the ball, and neither of them had come to see her about it.  She and all her brothers except Louis were going.  They wondered who would play for the dancing, but supposed some arrangements would be made.  “Burr Gordon will put it through somehow,” said Louis.  “Maybe he’ll ride over to Farnham Hollow and get Luke Corliss to fiddle.”  Louis sat discontentedly by the fire, with his arm soaking in cider-brandy and wormwood.