“This is the finest trophy ever offered to the club,” I said, “and on behalf of the members I wish to thank you as donor and Miss Harding as the instigator.”

“I’ll create enough trouble around here to work out any indebtedness you fellows owe me for that gee-gaw,” he laughed.  “I’ve had an awful time since you have been down town, Smith.  I reckon I’ve ploughed up as much turf as Jim Bishop did all last spring.  Speaking of Bishop, did you know we’re invited over to his place Monday evening?”

“I had not heard of it,” I said.

“Well, we are,” he said.  “There’s going to be great doings day after to-morrow night.  Bishop’s new red barn is finished, and a bunch of us are going over to dinner and then participate in the dance.  Let’s go down stairs and hunt up Grace and Carter and constitute the four of us a committee on arrangements and invitation.  Grace talked to Bishop more than I did and she knows all about it.”

We found Miss Harding, Miss Lawrence, LaHume, and Carter on the veranda, and decided to enlarge the committee to six.  Miss Harding said Mr. Bishop intimated he should expect about a dozen of us.

“Well, let’s see,” figured Mr. Harding, and I felt in my bones he would make a mess of it.  “Get out your pencil, Smith, and take us down as I give the names.  There’s Ma Harding and me, that’s two; there’s Carter and Grace makes four; LaHume and his sweetheart makes six; then there’s——­”

“Mr. LaHume and whom?” interrupted Miss Lawrence, her cheeks red and her eyes snapping fire.  The grin on LaHume’s face died out.

“Why, LaHume and——­”

“You’ve gone far enough,” laughed Miss Harding.  “Let me help you out, papa.  We will select the gentlemen first.  Please take down this list, Mr. Smith.  Suppose we name Mr. LaHume, Mr. Carter, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Chilvers, Mr. Smith, and Papa Harding.  Then there’s Miss Lawrence, Miss Ross, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Chilvers, Mamma, and myself.  That makes twelve.”

“Those were the ones I was going to name when you stopped me,” declared Mr. Harding, who pretended to be much puzzled, but who knew full well what was the matter.  He gave me a quiet nudge with his elbow, and then went on to say that the twelve of us would dine with the Bishops at six o’clock, and stay to the dance which would start as soon as it was dark.  It ought to be great fun.

I wish I knew if Miss Harding resented the coupling of her name with Carter.  I watched both of them closely, but neither gave a sign.

Chilvers tells me that Carter and Miss Harding have played several games together during the past week, and I assured him that the fact possessed not the slightest interest to me.  Chilvers pretends to think it does, and seems to take much delight in harping on that subject.

As a matter of curiosity I should like to know when and where Carter first met the Hardings.  Once or twice I have thrown out a hint to Carter, but he has not said a word.