"I've half a mind to do it," said Helsa Steyr. "Marie, will you draw lots to see who hides?"
"Why doesn't a man hide?" drawled Miss Ledyard. "I'm very sure I could drag him to the altar in ten minutes."
Cairns had found a sheet of paper, torn it into slips, and written down every woman's name, including Aunt Hannah's.
"She's retired to her room in disgust," said Jacqueline, laughing.
"Is she included?" faltered Reggie.
"You've brought it on yourself," said Cairns. "Are you going to renig just because Aunt Hannah is a possible prize? Are you really a tin sport?"
"No, by heck! Come on, Katharine!" to Miss Frere. "But Betty Barkley can't figure in this, or there may be bigamy done."
"That makes it a better sporting proposition," said Betty coolly. "I insist on figuring; Bertie can take his chances."
"Then I'm jingled if I don't play, too," said Barkley. "And I'm not sure I'll hunt very hard if it's Betty who hides."
The pretty little woman turned up her nose at her husband and sent a dazzling smile at Desboro.