Page:The principal girl (IA principalgirl00snai).pdf/222

 "You did that a-purpose, Mr. Toddles," said Mary sternly, "and I scorn to take your money. I am not a suffragist yet, but that's the kind of thing to make me one. Why, a woman can't even have fair play at a game like snooker."

Followed a heated controversy. Mr. Toddles would not confess to his guilt, which was really so flagrant that Mary wondered how he dared deny the charge. Horace Allwright and Weary William lied circumstantially to support the misdemeanant, but Mary refused to accept the stakes, and in this we venture to think she was right.

No, Toddles, young friend, it is not the way to produce a race of sportswomen. Your intentions were of the highest, certainly, but your charming opponent had taken such degrees in the school of experience, although she was hardly twenty-four at present, that she didn't even think it polite.

There was only one method of composing the quarrel, and that was to play the match over again. And this time, it is sad to relate of three excellent sportsmen, good care was taken that there should be no doubt whatever about the issue.

"And now you have taken us on at this game, Shel," said the first Olympian, "we shall expect you to turn out for us to-morrow against Brighton and Hove Albion."