“You did finely,” he declared as they returned to the porch. “All you need is a few more lessons.”
“That’s silly,” answered Molly promptly. “I know very well that I was just as stupid as stupid! I’m going to buy one of those little blue books with the rules in them the first thing in the morning. Then I’ll know what it’s all about. Thank you very much for teaching me. Good night.”
“Good night,” said Sandy, and “Good night,” called the others. And Molly, her racket tucked under her arm, took her departure. Sandy subsided on the top step and said “Whew!” very expressively. The rest observed him grinningly.
“How now, gallant squire of dames?” asked Spud.
“Someone else has got to take her the next time,” responded Sandy with decision. He glanced at Hoop. But that youth was looking the other way and whistling softly.
“Beautiful sunset, Hoop,” murmured Spud. Hoop scowled.
“Why don’t you draw lots?” he asked.
“We will,” said Sandy, “after supper.”
They did. He and Spud arranged the slips of paper and in some remarkable fashion the fatal slip fell to Hoop’s portion.
“That isn’t fair!” he objected. “You fellows faked!”