, for she and I were held to be the best 
players at Newport last summer, and she beat in the last 
* rubber ' we played. It was so provoking  just one slip 
of the mallet that ruined me ! You know, sometimes, how 
your mallet will turn in your hands. She made just such 
a slip and took the stroke over again. Now that is what 
I never will do, you see," etc., etc. 

In short, .1 could see that for pretty Miss Sophie, at 
present, croquet was, to all intents and purposes, the whole 
game of life, that every spangle and every hairpin about 
her was vital with  to win. 

After lunch came the ballot for the combatants who were 
to play the deciding game, and the parties elected were: 
Miss Sophie Elmore, Miss Eva Van Arsdel, Mr. Sydney, 
and myself. 

"Miss Van Arsdel," said Mr. Sydney, "you must be my 



THE MATCH GAME 361 

captain. After the feats that you and Mr. Henderson 
have been performing it would be impossible to allow you 
both on one side." 

" I think just as likely as not you will be worsted for 
your ," said Eva. "I know Sophie of old for a ter- 
rible antagonist,