Harriet overheard. Her eyes lighted up for a moment and, catching Mr. Disbrow’s eyes, she smiled. Then, nudging Tommy, she moved toward the center court, where the final game was to be played. Only Tommy, Harriet and the Scott Sisters were left now. All the other courts were deserted with the exception of number five, on which a series of consolation games were to be played by the losers. But there was little interest in these. The great and absorbing interest was for number one court. The two teams were loudly cheered when they appeared at the court where the finals were to be played.
The Scott girls, smiling, confident, but plainly weary from the hard-fought battles of the day, entered the court. Patricia Scott jeered audibly as Harriet entered the opposite court and faced her.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t have met you earlier in the day,” she said sneeringly.
“I share your regret,” answered Harriet calmly. “But better late than never. I am going to defeat you if I can, Patricia, and I think I can. If you win this match you will earn it, and so shall we if we win.”
Patricia tossed her head in the air and stepped back, an angry light in her eyes.
“Some bad blood there,” said a spectator who had overheard.
“Steady,” warned the voice of Mr. Disbrow from the side lines.
Harriet nodded, but did not turn her head. She was watching her opponents, studying their every move, planning.
“Play!” commanded the referee.
Then began the game that was to be talked of for many a day thereafter by those who had been fortunate enough to watch it.