"I do not agree with you, Miss Brown," Dorothy was protesting, her fine face alive with righteous vexation. "In my opinion, Miss Stearns has completely outplayed Miss Seaton. In fact she has always been the better player of the two. Granted, Miss Seaton is an excellent player, but Miss Stearns outclasses her. I say this in absolute fairness. Try them out again and you will see, even if you don't now."
"I am sorry to be obliged to differ with you regarding Miss Stearns, but Miss Seaton must be my first and last choice. Miss Nelson quite agrees with me. Do you not?"
She turned triumphantly to the third judge for corroboration.
"I—really—yes, I think Miss Seaton is the better player."
The reply, begun hesitatingly, went on to firmness. Laura Nelson had the grace to color slightly, however, as she made it. Indebted to Marian Seaton for several rides in the latter's limousine, as well as hospitable entertainment at Rutherford Inn, she felt compelled to stand by at the critical moment. She had been privately given to understand beforehand that Marian was to make the team, whoever else failed.
"The majority rules, I believe, Miss Martin."
A disagreeable smile hovered about Miss Brown's thin lips as she said this.
"It does, but——" Patent contempt looked out from Dorothy's steady eyes.
"But what?" sharply challenged Selina Brown.
"It is an unfair majority," was the quiet accusation. "As the other four players have been chosen, I will leave you to make the announcement."