"No, thanks; too like lessons," said May, pulling a face.
"We hate geography," added Effie.
"Would you care for Halma?"
"Don't know how to play," replied Effie.
"I could soon show you."
"Oh, we don't like learning new games!" said May. "I wish the Fergussons had come."
"I'm thankful they didn't," thought Sylvia, who was not at all in a nice temper to entertain her friends. "What a bother Effie and May are! I wish they'd do something by themselves and not trouble me. I don't mean to show them my museum, even if they ask. Shall I get out the bagatelle?" she added aloud. "You know how to play that at any rate."
"Oh, yes!" cried the little girls, helping her to lift the large board and unfold it on the table. "That's ever such fun! Don't you remember last time we made bigger scores than you did?"
"I forget," answered Sylvia. "But I think it's a better game for two than three; you get more turns."
"Aren't you going to play then?" exclaimed Effie.