one after one
It turned out to be a clear night ; I took Hetty to the hotel in father 's fancy sleigh , in good style , and having got her safely to the door of the ladies ' parlor without a blunder to mar my peace of mind , except that I stepped on her slippered foot in getting into the sleigh , and crushed it so , that Hetty could hardly dance for the pain , I began to feel an unusual degree of confidence in myself , which I fortified by a stern resolution , on no account to get to blushing and stammering , but to walk coolly up to the handsomest girls and ask them out on the floor with all the self-possessed gallantry of a man of the world . Alas ! `` the best-laid plans of mice an ' men must aft gang , '' like a balky horse -- just opposite to what you want them to . I spoke to my acquaintances in the bar-room easily enough , but when one after one the fellows went up to the door of the ladies ' dressing-room to escort their fair companions to the ball-room , I felt my courage oozing away , until , under the pretext of keeping warm by the fire , I remained in the bar-room until every one else had deserted it . Then I slowly made my way up , intending to enter the gentlemen 's dressing-room , to tie my white cravat , and put on my white kids . I found the room deserted -- every one had entered the ball-room but myself ; I could hear the gay music of the violins , and the tapping of the feet on the floor overhead . Surely it was time that I had called for _ my _ lady , and taken her up .