His wife made a rapid mental calculation and flushed slightly.
"Anybody might do it!" she pouted; "and it's uncle's fault, anyway!"
"Why!" exclaimed Zoe Oppner, "you're surely not going to make a fuss over a silly thing like that!"
"A lot of people don't like it," declared Lady Vignoles hurriedly. "I shouldn't mind, of course, if it happened at somebody else's house."
Zimmermann strolled up to the group.
"I gather that we number thirteen?" he said.
"That is so," replied Vignoles; "but," dropping his voice, "I don't think anyone else has noticed it yet."
"A romantic idea occurs to me!" smiled the novelist. "I submit it in all deference——"
"Oh, go on, Mr. Zimmermann!" cried Zoe, with sparkling eyes.
"Why not, upon the precedent of our ancient Arabian friend, Es-Sindibad of the Sea, summon to the feast some chance wayfarer?"