"And" said I, "one may read all sorts of life-histories in the game. Some go on with a steady aim and true stroke, and make wickets, and hit balls, yet are croqueted back ingloriously or hopelessly wired and lose the game, while others blunder advantageously and are croqueted along by skillful partners into all the best places."
"There are few of us girls that make our own wickets in life," said Eva. "We are all croqueted along by papas and mammas."
"And many a man is croqueted along by a smart wife," said Sydney.
"But more women by smart husbands," said Mrs. Van Arsdel.
On that there was a general exclamation, and the conversation forthwith whisked into one of those animated whirlwinds that always arise when the comparative merits of the sexes are moved. There was a flutter of ribbons and a rustle of fans and a laughing cross-fire of sharp sayings, till the whole was broken up by the announcement that we were drawing near the landing.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE MATCH GAME.
