such little stunts."
After the midday luncheon had been disposed of, the entire class
repaired to the tennis court at the east end of the park. A match had
been arranged in which Grace and Miriam Nesbit were to play against Ruth
Deane and Edna Wright, who was an indefatigable tennis player, and
therefore figured frequently in tennis matches held in Oakdale. At the
last minute, however, Edna pleaded a severe headache and recommended
Eleanor in her place.
"But I never have played with her," protested Ruth Deane, "and how do
I know whether she can play?"
"Try her," begged Edna. "I have played with her and she is a wonder."
It was with considerable surprise and some misgiving that Grace
discovered that Eleanor was to play. "I seem fated to oppose her," Grace
thought. "I wonder at her consenting to play against us. I'll keep my
eye on her, at any rate, for I don't trust her."
Grace's fears were, in this instance, groundless, for Eleanor played a
perfectly fair game from start to finish, and proved herself a powerful
antagonist. Her serves were as straight and accurate as a boy's, and she
played with great spirit and agility. Indeed, the sides were so evenly
matched that junior excitement rose high and numerous boxes of Huyler's
were wagered against the result. The game stood forty-all. Two vantages
scored in succession were needed by one side to win. Grace forgot
everything but the fact that she desired the victory. With her, going
into a game meant winning it. Five minutes later the match was over. She
and Miriam had won against worthy opponents.
"That was an evenly matched game," exclaimed Nora, as Grace and Miriam
strolled to where their friends were seated upon the grass. "You played
like professionals."
"Eleanor is a better player than Edna Wright," said Grace. "Her serves
are wonderful. We had all we could do to hold our own."
"There's a trout brook over there," said Nora, "and I had forethought
enough to borrow a fishing rod and line from Hippy. It is jointed, so it
didn't get in any one's way. I left it with the lunch baskets.
Therefore, as I'm not afraid of angle worms, I'm going to dig some bait
and fish. Want to come?"
"Not I," laughed Anne. "Miriam and I are going up under the trees and
read Browning."
"The idea of going to a picnic and reading!" exclaimed Jessica. "Come
on, girls, let's go with Nora." She hastily rose, brushed off her gown
and followed in Nora's wake, accompanied by Eva and
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