Silence greeted the question.
"I seem to remember boasts that ideas never would fail this brilliant group," jeered Roger.
"There were some such remarks," James recalled meditatively; "and I remember that you prophesied that the day would come when we'd call on you for information about some stupendous scheme of yours that was literally as big as a house. Let's have it now."
"Do I understand that you're really appealing to me to learn my scheme?" inquired Roger, swelling with amusement.
"If it's any satisfaction to you--yes," replied his sister.
Roger burst into a peal of laughter.
"Shoot off the answers, old man," urged James. "We're waiting."
"Breathlessly," added Margaret.
Roger settled himself comfortably on the top step of the piazza and leaned his head against the post.
"It certainly does me good to see you all at my feet begging like this," he declared.