Beasley was back in an instant, shouting as he came: "TAKE yourpardners! Balance ALL!"

And then and there, and all by himself, he danced a quadrille,performing at one and the same time for four lively couples. Never in mylife have I seen such gyrations and capers as were cut by thatlong-legged, loose-jointed, miraculously flying figure. He was in thewildest motion without cessation, never the fraction of an instantstill; calling the figures at the top of his voice and dancing themsimultaneously; his expression anxious but polite (as is the habit ofother dancers); his arms extended as if to swing his partner or corner,or "opposite lady"; and his feet lifting high and flapping down in anold-fashioned step. "FIRST four, forward and back!" he shouted. "Forwardand SALUTE! BALANCE to corners! SWING pardners! GR-R-RANDRight-and-Left!"