"Me first of all," cried the eager Jessie. "I had first draw."
Otoyo took the slip and, holding it under a lantern, translated in a high, funny voice:
"He happy who feesh for one and catch heem, than feesh for many and catch none."
The wild whoop of joy that went up at this unexpectedly appropriate statement made the lanterns quiver and the teacups rattle.
Some of the others were not so appropriate, but they were all very amusing. Mabel Hinton, who had been nicknamed "old maid" the year before, drew one which announced:
"Your daughters will make good matches."
The girls laughed till the tears ran down their cheeks at this prediction, and Mabel was quite teased.
"I'd like to know why I shouldn't have a family of marriageable daughters some day," she exclaimed, blinking at them with near-sighted eyes while she wiped the moisture from her large round glasses.
Nance's fortune was a very sentimental one and caused her to blush as red as a rose.
"Love will not change, neither in the cold weenter time nor in the warm spreengtime under the cherry-blossoms when the moon ees bright."