“Oh, Claude, what bad luck! Or did it hit it? I almost thought I saw it tremble, and in a minute I shall be sure of it.”
“I thought it hit,” said Jim.
“No, I’m sure it didn’t,” said Claude. “Full inch between them.”
The game was over in a couple of turns after this, but Dora, finding it hot on her grassy bank, had gone down to sit in the boat and wait for Claude. At the conclusion of the game he produced a sovereign and handed it to Jim.
“You gave me a good thrashing,” he said, “couldn’t get in but that once.”
“Thanks. Yes, you had bad luck all through. I say.... You’re satisfied that Dora was talking nonsense?”
“About what?”
“When she said I cheated. Of course I did nothing of the kind.”
“Why, of course I’m satisfied if you tell me so,” said Claude. “Are you coming down to the lake?”
“Not I. Dora would hurl me overboard.”