"Why don't you buy a new one, then?" suggested Lesbia. "You're the Crœsus of the family. Your money box must be bursting, for you've been hoarding up for ages. How much have you got in it?"
"Ah! Wouldn't you like to know!" returned Gwen, suddenly desirous of changing the subject.
"You really might get a new racket, Gwen," agreed Winnie. "It's a good idea of Lesbia's. We'd all borrow it on occasion."
"Oh, I dare say! Very nice for you all, no doubt. Rackets are rather expensive little luxuries, my dear girl. Otherwise I'd be happy to accommodate you."
"You're a perfect old miser! What are you going to do with your wealth? Invest it in an annuity?"
"Probably speculate on the Stock Exchange, or take up Mexican mines!" declared Gwen, trying to turn things off with a laugh.
"Well, you're the only member of the family who keeps any money."
"A good example in thrift to the rest of you, then!"
Gwen did not dare to complain again about the poorness of her racket, though it was a serious handicap in her games at school, where most of the girls came supplied with the very best. In spite of this impediment her play improved steadily, and she several times beat Louise Mawson, though she could not vanquish Hilda Brown or Charlotte Perry, the champions at present of the Form.
"I suppose you're going to take swimming, Gwen?" said Netta one day. "Miss Trent says we begin this afternoon."