“Is that all?” queried Nita, for the audience seemed quite interested in the recital which had turned from a matter of nonsense into French customs.
“Well, I suppose after a month or two—they marry!” finished Miette, much relieved to have gotten off so easily.
“And that is French love-making?” exclaimed one of the committee. “See a man, go to a dinner, then become engaged and marry in a few months! I call that—something better than our boasted rush. America is not the only place in the world where the big wheel moves past the speed limit, then.”
“We are getting along without trouble,” whispered Dorothy to Tavia, “I am glad we did not stop the fun.”
“Not out of the woods yet,” Tavia replied in an undertone. “Just like Nita to put some one else up to do the mean part.”
“But that ought to be enough for Miette. She told quite a story.”
“It ought to be, but that rests with the committee. However, no need to look for trouble,” and then the two directed their attention to the programme.
Minna Brown and Lily Sayre were next called upon. They were ordered to play tennis with tooth picks and putty balls. This caused no end of merriment, but as the candidates were not allowed to join in the laugh, every time either girl did so, she was obliged to get down on the floor and “wipe off her smile.” Minna had many smiles to wipe off, for she was a jolly girl and laughing was as natural to her as was breathing.
It certainly was funny to see the girls stand there on the chalk-lined floor and try to hit the putty balls with tooth picks. Of course, it was all “Love,” although Lily Sayre did manage to strike a ball, whether with her finger or the tooth pick, no one could tell.
After five minutes of this nonsense the “Ladies’ Single” was called off, and then it came time for Miette and Wanda to do their last “turn.”