“Annie,” supplied Queenie, who by this time was standing beside him.
“Yes, Stella and Annie, forwards; Miss Andrews and Queenie, guards. For the time being, we’ll call that our first team.”
“Ain’t we just the cat’s whiskers?” demanded Queenie, pulling her shoulders up proudly, and strutting around like a peacock. “Stars—in one night, too!”
Jack almost shook with laughter, regretting that John had not returned from his errand, to enjoy the fun with him.
“Now then, opposing team—you won’t mind if I call you scrubs?”
“So long as we don’t have to scrub floors,” returned Clara, in the spirit of the occasion.
“Well, the twins for forwards; Clara, you and—Aggie—guards—and—” turning to their visitor over near the wall—“Sautter, you play side-center, and I’ll jump center, against Sis. Now, all we need’s a referee!”
“Here he comes!” cried Marjorie, exultantly, thinking that it was John coming down the steps; but to her amazement, she recognized Mr. Richards. He was dropping in to see the troop on his way home from a meeting, and immediately agreed to take his part in the game.
For five minutes there was a jolly, rough-and-tumble sort of game, until the new players declared that they were exhausted. Marjorie, too, was willing to stop, for she saw John beckoning to her in her doorway.
“Ice-cream’s ready!” he announced, and was greeted with shouts of joy from all members of the party.