“No, thanks; I get more walking than I care for. Don’t go far, girls; the mountains are full of goblins and dragons, which devour pretty maidens. Be back soon, and I’ll go and sit down with you by the lake. Now, Barron, your deal.”
The gentleman addressed looked at the ladies, and shrugged his shoulders slightly as much as to say. “You see I have no alternative.”
“Then you will not come, papa?” said Myra as she rested her hands on his shoulders.
“No, my dear; too tired. Don’t spoil my luck by stopping; run along.”
“Uncle talks to us as if we were two little tots of things, Myry,” said Edie as they crossed the hotel garden.
“Well, why should we not always be to him like the girls he loves and pets?”
James Barron thought the same as Edie as he dealt the cards, and he added to himself: “She resents it; I could see her brow wrinkle. That settles it; I’ll chance the throw.”
“Ha! Now we can be at peace again,” cried the admiral as he settled himself to his hand, which he played out, and ended by winning the game.
James Barron took up the pack again nervously, threw it down, thrust his hand into his pocket, and then passed a couple of louis across the table.
“Cut,” said the admiral.