In the village they encountered Jim Bates and Evelyn Atkinson, surrounded by seven or eight boys and girls, for Jim was disposing rapidly of his six shillings, and Evelyn bestowed favor on him for the nonce.
“Hello! here’s Martin,” whooped Bates. “I thowt ye’d gone yam (home). Where hev ye——”
Jim’s eloquence died away abruptly. He caught sight of Angèle and was abashed. Not so Evelyn.
“Martin’s been to fetch his sweetheart,” she said maliciously.
Angèle simpered sufficiently to annoy Evelyn. Then she laughed agreement.
“Yes. And won’t we have a time! Come on! Everybody have a ride.”
She sprang toward the horses. Martin alone followed.
“Come on!” she screamed. “Martin will pay for the lot. He has heaps of money.”
No second invitation was needed. Several times the whole party swung round with lively yelling. From the roundabouts they went to the swings; from the swings to the cocoanut shies. Here they were joined by the Beckett-Smythes, who endeavored promptly to assume the leadership.