"Now," she said, briskly, "we're going to play a game I learned in
Shanghai. All take off your shoes and stockings. No one excused--come on--
off with them."

Beer and a few other maids came in to assist the ladies, the men were
properly valeted, and the barefooted crowd sat waiting further orders.

Daisy Snow made a remark about being a maiden with reluctant feet, but
nobody noticed it.

Several seemed rather relieved than otherwise at the condition imposed
upon them.

"Now," said Warble, but before she could go further, Adam Goodsport butted
in with:

"Oh, please, Mrs. Petticoat--oh, please! Such an opportunity! May never
occur again! Oh, can't I--may I not--oh, dear lady, do say yes--"

"Lordy, what do you want to do? Speak out, man!"

"Why, you see, I am a solist--like a palmist you know--but as to feet. I
studied solistry in Asia Minor and I know it from the ground up. Oh,
please, Mrs. Petticoat, let me read your sole!"

"Do," cried Warble, "love to have you."

She plumped herself into a pillowed divan, and held her little pink feet
straight out in front of her.