"You abominable young wretch," replied Ingred, laughing in spite of herself. "How did you manage it? And who is your friend?"
"Allow me to introduce Vashti, Queen of Persia!"
"Bunkum! It's a boy! I know it is!"
The explosive sounds issuing from under the shimmering veil of Queen Vashti certainly sounded more masculine than feminine, and that Persian princess confessed presently to the name of Franklin.
"He's a chum of mine," explained Hereward, "and he lives close by, so we made it up to come together. His sister lent us the clothes and dressed us. I say, your Prioress never found us out, did she? What about that prize?"
"There isn't going to be a prize, and you certainly wouldn't have deserved it! Look here, you'd better wangle yourselves off before it gets about who you are. I should get into a row, not you!"
"Would the Prioress kick up rough?"
"She'd probably think I'd planned the whole business, and encouraged you to come."
"Even if we apologized?"
"She wouldn't accept an apology. If you want me to have any tennis next week, you had better clear out."