Page:Quits - Abbie Farwell Brown.djvu/12

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. Oh, they read a lot of extracts aloud to us and the other fellows at the club. My, it was rich!

. Emma's were the best, though. Jove, she must be a stunner!

. Why, they were-

. (aside). Sh! Let them talk. (Aloud.) I smell a rat somewhere. I believe you boys know more about this than you pretend, and have been up to some mischief. But we will introduce you to them this evening, and to Miss Grifﬁn too. Oh, by the way, she is coming to take tea with us in about half an hour. (Boys start violently.)

. Oh, didn't we tell you? We've met her already.

. Oh you have? Well, then, you won't have to be introduced.

. No, don't introduce us—don't.

. Why not?

(aside to ). Now, you've done it. (Aloud) I say, I don't believe we can stay to tea with you, even with the extra inducement of seeing Miss Griffin again. We have got to call on some friends of ours, and then get ready for this evening, you know.

. But you must be famished now; why didn't we think of it before.

. Well, we are a little—faint.

. Oh, you must stay to tea with us. We have got it all ready for you. You mustn't leave us now. Miss Griffin will be here in a little while.

. Awfully good of you to ask us, but-

. But if we are going to get you anything we must be preparing it now. If you will excuse us a moment we will get it ready. (Aside to .) We mustn't let them go hunting for Mabel and Emma. Let's tell as soon as we come back. (Exit and, R.  falls into chair R., overcome with laughter;  stands, L., chuckling.)

. Well, we got out of that pretty well. Now, let's get out of this, and ﬁnd who the bogus girls are.

. Good idea. Before we meet the old cat again under our real names.

. But we must give them one last scare before confessing, when we came back, for of course we must confess before we go to that confounded reception.

. Holy smoke! Yes. I don't much fancy the prospect, though.

. Um! Neither do I. But I think I can make Kittie listen to reason.

. To treason, you mean. They'll be sure to call it so.

. Can't help it. They began it. But we must be quick or they will be back. (Thinks.) Hello! I have it. Let's make them think Miss Griffin is onto their own dodge.