“And Percy agreed?”

“He didn’t want to.  He said it took mentality and physical endurance as well as some courage to play polo.  Father said it did—­on the part of the pony.  Then s-some of the men heard of it, and there were bets on it—­ten to one he wouldn’t do it and twenty to one he couldn’t do it.  So Percy decided to try.  Father was so afraid that some of the campers and guides would help him that he had notices sent out at Mr. Willoughby’s suggestion offering a reward if Percy could be shown to have asked any assistance.  Oh, I know he’s sick in there somewhere, or starving or—­dead!”

I had had a great light break over me, and now I stooped and patted the girl on the shoulder.

“Dead!  Certainly not,” I said.  “I saw him last night.”

“Saw him!”

“Well, not exactly saw him—­there wasn’t much light.  But he’s alive and well, and—­do you really want him to win?”

“Do I?” She sat up with shining eyes.  “I don’t care whether he owns anything in the world but the trunks.  If I didn’t think I’d add to his troubles I’d go into the woods this minute and find him and suffer with him.”

“You’d have to be married to him first,” I objected, rather startled.

But she looked at me with her cheeks as red strawberries.  “Why?” she demanded.  “Father’s crazy about primitive man—­did primitive man take his woman to church to be married, with eight brides maids and a reception after the ceremony?  Of course not.  He grabbed her and carried her off.”

“Good Heavens!  You’re not in earnest?” “I think I am,” she said slowly.  “I’d rather live in the woods with Percy and no ceremony than live without him anywhere in the world.  And I’ll bet primitive man would have been wiped off the earth if he hadn’t had primitive woman to add her wits to his strength.  If Percy only had a woman to help him!”

“My dear,” I said solemnly, “he has!  He has, not one, but three!”

It took me some time to explain that Percy was not supporting a harem in the Maine woods; but when at last she got my idea and that the other two classed with me in beauty and attractiveness, she was overjoyed.

“But Percy promised not to ask for help,” she said suddenly.

“He needn’t.  My dear, go away and stop worrying about Percy—­he’s all right.  When is the time up?”

“In three weeks.”

“I suppose father and the Willoughby person will come to meet him?”

“Yes, and all the fellows from the club who have put money up on him.  We’re going to motor over and father’s bringing the physical director of the athletic club.  He’s not only got to survive, but he’s got to be in good condition.”

“He’ll be in good condition,” I said grimly.  “Does he drink and smoke?”

“A little, not too much.  Oh, yes, I had forgotten!” She opened up a little gold cigarette case, which she took from her pocket, and extracted a handful of cigarettes.