up another circle that will play with him."

It was almost impossible to keep from laughing at Fanny's face, but
Jasper was very grave as he waited for an answer. "O dear me, Mr.
Jasper," she cried, "haven't I told you I don't really care for any one
on board but Polly Pepper, and Mamma doesn't want me to mix up much
with those Griswolds?" She lowered her voice and glanced over her
shoulder. "It would make it so awkward if they should be much in New
York, and we should meet. So of course I've got to do as Polly and you
do. Don't you see?--it's awfully hard on me, though," and she clasped
her hands in vexation.

"Very well, then," said Jasper; "now that's decided. And seeing it is,
why the next thing to do, is to bring Tom down, and we'll get up a game
of shuffle-board at once. He's not needed by his Grandfather now." He
didn't think it necessary to add, "for the old gentleman won't see him,
and Tom is forbidden the room by the doctor."

Fanny's aristocratic nose went up in alarm, and her whole face was
overspread with dismay. It was one thing to anticipate evil, and quite
another to find it precipitated upon one. "I--I don't--believe I can
play this morning, Mr. Jasper," she began hurriedly, for the first time
in her young life finding herself actually embarrassed. She was even
twisting her fingers.

"Very well," said Jasper, coolly, "then I understand that you will not
play with us at any time, for, as we begin to-day, we shall keep on. I
will set about getting up another party at once." He touched his yacht
cap lightly, and turned off.