"Part of the game?"
"Yes," giggled the tall girl, faintly; "it's a kissing game."
"Did you know it was such?" asked Lottie, indignantly, of De Forrest and Hemstead.
"Indeed I did not," said De Forrest; "and if you say so I'll give this fellow the flogging, anyway."
"Come right out, and do it now," was the pert response.
"All I can say is, Miss Marsden," explained Hemstead, "that I suspected something wrong, and took means to prevent it. How these nice-looking girls can allow this fellow to kiss them is more than I can understand."
"No lady would," said Lottie, as she swept disdainfully out; and under the withering influence of these remarks kissing games languished the rest of the evening; only young children, and a few of the coarser-natured ones, participating. But soon the absurdity of the whole scene overcame Lottie, and she laughed till the tears stood in her eyes.
As they were slowly descending the stairs a faded little woman said, "I'm glad to see you enjoying yourself, Miss Marchmont. It was very kind of you and your party to come so far."
"I am not Miss Marchmont," said Lottie, "though I came with her."
"Well, as the minister's wife, I would like her and all her party to know of our grateful appreciation."