"Let's have a game of tennis. You girls play, don't you?"

It proved that they did, and Alan was sent off to get the net and
rackets, followed by Polly, who went racing after him, to help him
bring out his load.

"Why, do girls run here?" asked Katharine, with an air of
surprise.

"Yes, of course we do; run and play tag, and do all sorts of
dreadful things," answered Molly, with some spirit. "What do you
do, I'd like to know?"

"Of course it's different in a city," replied her cousin sedately.
"We play tennis and skate; but we never run, all for nothing. Only
little girls do that."

"What nonsense!" was Molly's comment. "I'd call myself a little
girl, then, if I couldn't have any fun without. I hope you don't
consider yourself a young lady--Excuse me, Katharine," she added
hastily. "I didn't mean to be rude; but you'll have to take us as
you find us, I'm afraid."

But Alan and Polly had reappeared, and the game began, watched by
Alan, who refused all the girls' entreaties to play.

"I can't to-night, Poll," he answered to her glance; "I'm too
stiff in the joints, but I'll act as umpire."

By the time the game was over, they were excellent friends, even