Yes; here, Charley, run and hang my hat on that target."

The boys rushed off with the hat--a new white one--and hung it
with a bit of string over the center of one of the targets, and
then, stepping a little aside, stood, clapping their hands,
shouting to Mary to take good aim.

"You must string my bow," she said, handing it to him as she
buckled on her guard. "Now, do you repent? I am going to do my
best, mind, if I do shoot."

"I scorn repentance; do your worst," said Tom, stringing the bow
and handing it back to her. "And now I will hold your arrows;
here is the forty yards."

Mary came to the place which he had stepped, her eyes full of fun
and mischief; and he saw at once that she knew what she was
about, as she took her position and drew the first arrow. It
missed the hat by some three inches only; and the boys clapped
and shouted.

"Too near to be pleasant," said Tom, handing the second arrow. "I
see you can shoot."

"Well, I will let you off still."

"Gloves and all?"

"No, of course you must pay the gloves."

"Shoot away, then. Ah, that will do," he cried, as the second
arrow struck considerably above the hat, "I shall get my gloves
yet," and he handed the third arrow. They were too intent on the
business in hand to observe that Mr. and Mrs. Porter and several
guests were already on the hand-bridge which crossed the haw-haw.

Mary drew her third arrow, paused a moment, loosed it, and this
time with fatal aim.

The boys rushed to the target, towards which Mary and Tom also
hurried, Mr. and Mrs. Porter and the new comers following more
quietly.

"Oh, look here--what fun," said Charley, as Tom came up, holding
up the hat, spiked on the arrow, which he had drawn out of the
target.

"What a wicked shot," he said, taking the hat and turning to
Mary. "Look here, you have actually gone through three
places--through crown, and side, and brim."

Mary began to feel quite sorry at her own success, and looked at
the wounded hat sorrowfully.

"Hullo, look here--here's papa and mamma and some people, and we
ain't dressed. Come along, Neddy," and the boys made off towards
the back premises, while Mary and Tom, turning round, found
themselves in the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Porter, Mrs. Brown,
and two or three other guests.

CHAPTER XXXI

BEHIND THE SCENES

Mr. and Mrs. Brown had a long way to drive home that evening,
including some eight miles of very indifferent chalky road over
the downs, wh