Rose and Ray were generous in defeat.
“Whatever you have done to Edina, it’s plenty,” Rose admitted. “We other oarsmen will have to speed up if we intend to stay in the same class with her!”
“At least,” said Billie, with a mischievous glance at her pupil, “we don’t go about in circles any more!”
Despite this signal victory on the lake, Billie was far from satisfied with herself. Rowing was one thing—tennis was quite another. On the courts her old-time skill appeared to have deserted her. She had lost a good deal of her old speed and power. She was slower, and her opponents found it easier to catch her napping.
Even Vi beat her one day, which worried the loyal Vi greatly.
“What’s wrong, Billie? You are absolutely off your form. Aren’t you well?”
“Quite,” replied Billie, and added with a worried frown: “It’s my knee, Vi. Don’t tell anybody, but ever since that awful day when I fell over the cliff, my knee has been acting queerly. Gives out under me when I least expect it. To-day, on the courts, I almost fell. Perhaps you noticed.”
“I’ll say I did. It was so unlike you that I thought maybe you were putting it on—just to give me a chance to win, you know.”
Billie’s brief smile flashed out.
“I’m not quite that generous. Hello—what’s this?”