"Ours!" called Tom, as the one string pulled out two yards longer than the other.
Then every other strand was measured against that. Not one came up to the garland made by Dorothy and Tom.
"Oh, of course," pouted Eva, "Dorothy and Tom could not possibly have been beaten. They're such a strong team!"
The others laughed, although Dorothy did not like the remark.
Ned lifted his eyebrows thoughtfully, but never once smiled at Dorothy's triumph.
"Tavia has the 'Booby,'" announced Tom, who had done all the measuring, "Now distribute the prizes, please."
Tavia protested, of course, and soon the room was in an uproar. Finally the ladies insisted the wreaths should be put up, and when the chairs and stepladders had been brought the boys began festooning the long strings of green about the room, over windows and doors, and about the finely-fluted posts that marked the arches.
Dorothy purposely took Ned's rope to hold for him.
"Won't it look pretty?" she asked, trying to show her interest in his work.
"Guess so," he answered indifferently, without looking at his cousin.