“Certainly I will. But....” She hesitated, her mind struggling against despair. “You make me sick. What’ll I do without you?”
“Come along,” Teddy said easily. “The more the merrier.”
“Madden!” Blake was outraged again. “You don’t really take it seriously at all. I don’t think you mean to come.”
She leaned forward eagerly. “But why can’t I come? I’d be useful, really I would. I’d do the cooking for you. I’ll try to save up something before we start. Please! Honest, Blake, I’m serious. I am. Couldn’t I come? Would it really spoil it all if I came?”
“It’s all right with me,” said Teddy. “Why not, Blake?”
“Because....”
“Oh, you don’t want me,” she cried. “You are afraid I’ll spoil it. Let me come. If it looks as if I’ll spoil it, I’ll take the next train back. But let me try. Please. If you don’t, I’ll get up another expedition by myself, and I’ll probably be killed. Go on, Blake. Say yes.”
“Oh,” he said, relenting, “I guess it doesn’t make much difference if we keep it down to three. You’re not joking?” He searched her face seriously, and she tried to look as intense as possible. “All right,” he decided, “we’ll all go. But remember if anyone hears about it it’s all off.”
“I promise faithfully,” she said.
Teddy stood up and reached for his racket. “It’s time we’re shoving off. Coming along, Gin? You can watch us play.”