Pilcher. It wasn't a very bad sermon, was it? Well now for the next year shall we make one especial effort in one especial direction—Say——

Dolly. Temper, eh, Harry?

Harry. Right, old girl! Oh, I mean it.

Matt. No victory for free will, and the Blanket Club, this time. Game and game, eh? Now which of you two——

[Looking at Renie and Lucas.

Renie. I'll be your first victim. [Coming into the middle of the room, and posing.] It's so strange that what you started as a jest——

Matt. Oh no, in deadly earnest I assure you.

Renie. In this life who knows what is jest and what is earnest? The least little innocent thing may turn to a tragedy in a moment——

Matt. Surely you haven't had any little tragedies?

Renie. No, last year a mere little circumstance might have turned to a tragedy—honestly I wasn't to blame, but perhaps I was a little careless, and two dear friends came to me with their counsel, and what might have been a tragedy was turned to a comedy, thanks to those two dear friends!