"Cheer up, Lot," said Pip. "There, I know what I'll do. I'll give you the
first one. It's mine, really, but I'll give it to you. Here you are."
And he slammed the card down in front of Lottie.

Lottie revived at that. But now she was in another difficulty. "I haven't
got a hanky," she said; "I want one badly, too."

"Here, Lottie, you can use mine." Rags dipped into his sailor blouse and
brought up a very wet-looking one, knotted together. "Be very careful," he
warned her. "Only use that corner. Don't undo it. I've got a little
starfish inside I'm going to try and tame."

"Oh, come on, you girls," said the bull. "And mind--you're not to look at
your cards. You've got to keep your hands under the table till I say
'Go.'"

Smack went the cards round the table. They tried with all their might to
see, but Pip was too quick for them. It was very exciting, sitting there
in the washhouse; it was all they could do not to burst into a little
chorus of animals before Pip had finished dealing.

"Now, Lottie, you begin."

Timidly Lottie stretched out a hand, took the top card off her pack, had a
good look at it--it was plain she was counting the spots--and put it down.

"No, Lottie, you can't do that. You mustn't look first. You must turn it
the other way over."