“How many favor title one, ‘Life’s Thorny Road’?”
Mr. and Mrs. Ashby stood up. Not even Ruth favored her own work but her doting parents did. This caused a general laugh at their expense and so they seated themselves, again.
“Who favors the second, ‘The Great Secret’?” asked the amateur manager.
Nolla had faith in herself, and so had Polly. But two votes could not carry the day, and they sat down again.
“Well, how about ‘His Easy Conquest’? Who wants that?”
No one stood up at this title, and every one laughed at the Countess; she laughed more merrily than the others.
“Next comes, ‘Her Friend’s Husband’—by Dodo Alexander.”
Dodo’s father and Polly voted for this title, but they were over-ruled by the others.
“‘Greatest Thing on Earth,’ by Miss Fabian—how about that?”
No one stirred at that invitation to vote, and the Count laughingly remarked, “Your talent is not appreciated, Miss Fabian.