Will waited for the dummy to try to stand and then pulled out the chair for her as his pop had taught him through example. Years of example seemed to have little effect, however, and the dummy as dropped directly on her derrière! Thank goodness it wasn't a really lady, he thought as his ears turned pink with embarrassment. She'd probably start crying.

The minute he thought that, the dummy did, indeed, start to wail. Oh, no! No! Make her stop! Anything but that! I can't stand to see a woman -- even a dummy-- cry!!! He thought, panicking. He drew his wand and cast -- first silencio, then orchideous. The sounds stopped and the dummy was showered with a boquet of flowers as though she'd just won a beauty pageant or something.

There. Better. He hoped Professor Branxton hadn't seen that little display. He waited for the dummy to get up. She sat there, wailing silently. After a moment, he realized himself and offered her a hand. She stood. Whew. He helped her sit again, this time more successfully.

Being a gentleman was something of a pain. Why couldn't ladies pull out their own chairs? Chairs weren't that heavy!