Veronica giggled so joyously that the speaker turned away from Diana's serene smile and regarded her. "I assure you," he added slowly and solemnly, "that if you do, I shall not follow you. So if you wish the pleasure of my society you won't unfold any graceful, glittering tails."
Veronica giggled again, and, if she had only known it, her dimples were warranted at any time to divert attention from those afflicting little freckles.
"I can see that Kelly will be fruit for you, Veronica, on that croquet ground," said Philip.
The guest clasped his hands rapturously. "Do you guarantee, Miss Veronica, that croquet at this island is unfailingly played on land?"
"Hold on, Barney, don't go too fast; it's the kind of croquet you play with an alpenstock in one hand and a mallet in the other."
"It is not, Mr. Barrison," declared Veronica stoutly. "Bert has mowed it."
"That poor little chap? Did you work him in? Good for you. It's what he needs."
"When are you going to have Mr. Barrison sing for us, Mr. Kelly?" asked Diana.
Barney shrugged his shoulders. "A poor worm of an accompanist can't answer that, Miss Wilbur."
"But I suppose you will be practicing, or rehearsing at times, will you not?"