“Wait, wait!” he cried. “Come back a minute!”
They turned in surprise. The Grown-Ups, very large in the doorway, looked like gigantic prison guards faced by some sudden unexpected insurrection. One of them brushed against the bronze gongs hanging at one side of the door. They jangled softly as if calling them all to attention.
“Don’t let’s play that game,” he said breathlessly. “It’s too terrible.”
“What game?” asked Mrs. Richmond.
“We made up a game. A game of spies, to——” He realized that he couldn’t possibly explain with the Parents standing there. He caught Joyce’s eye. She looked frightened.
“Why, Martin, how silly you are,” chirped Phyllis. “Of course we weren’t going to play it, not really.”
“He’s not silly!” Joyce shouted fiercely. “I was going to play it.”
“So was I,” Bunny flashed. “Phyllis is telling fibs. We were going to play it. We were going to spy on Grown-Ups, to find out whether they have a good time.”
“Bunny, Bunny,” said her mother reprovingly. “Tell Phyllis you’re sorry. You mustn’t forget she’s a guest.”
“Don’t mention it,” said Phyllis primly. “When I grow up I’m going to have a lot of children and teach them lovely manners.”