Humorous stories; Love stories; New York (N.Y.) -- Fiction
"There, you see?" goes on Eulalia. "Your faithful knights acclaim you.
Who says that the age of chivalry has passed? Why, here they are,
everyone of them ready to do your lightest bidding. Now, aren't you,
Sir Knights?"
It's kind of a weak chorus; but the ayes seem to have it. What other
answer could there be, with Vee gazin' flushed and pouty at 'em over
the tea urn?
"Really, Eulalia, I wish you wouldn't be so absurd," says Vee.
"My dear Cousin Verona," coos Eulalia, glidin' up and huggin' her
impetuous, "how could anyone keep their heads straight before such
absolutely distracting beauty? See, you have inspired them all with
the spirit of chivalry. And now you must put them to the test. Name
some heroic deed for each to perform. Begin with Reggy. Now what
shall it be?"
"Fudge!" says Vee, tossin' her head. "I'll do nothing so perfectly
mushy."
But Cousin Eulalia wa'n't to be squelched, nor have her grand scheme
sidetracked. "Then I declare myself Mistress of the Lists," says she,
"and I shall open the tournament for you. Ho, Trumpeter, summon the
challengers! And--oh, I have it. Each of you Sir Knights must choose
his own task, whatever he deems will best please our Princess Charming.
What say you to that?"
There's a murmur of "Good business!" "Bully dope!" and the young gents
begin to prick up their ears.
"Then this is how it stands," goes on Eulalia, beamin' delighted.
"Between now and eight o'clock this evening each knight must do his
valorous best to win the approval of our Princess. Hers it shall be to
decide, the prize her gracious company for next Wednesday night. Come
now, who enters the lists?"
There's some snickerin' and hangin' back; but fin'ly they're all in.
"All save the Unknown Knight," pipes up Eulalia, spottin' me in the
rear. "How now, you of the Crimson Crest? Not showing the white
feather, are you?"
"Me?" says I. "Well, I don't quite get the drift of the game; but if
it'll make you feel any better, you can count me in."
"Good!" says she, clappin' her hands. "And while you are afield I must
leave too--another tea, you know. But we all meet here again at eight
sharp, with proof or plunder. Teddy, have you decided what to attempt?"
"Sure," says he. "Me to find the biggest box of candy that can be
bought in New York Sunday evening."
"Oh, splendid!" gurgles Eulalia. "And you, Mr. Westlake?"
"Orchids," says Sappy. "Grandmother has dandy ones at her place up in
Westchester, and I can make there and back in my roadster if I'm not
pinched for speeding. I'm going to have a try, and maybe I'll have to
steal the flowers too."
"There!" says Eulalia, pattin' him on the back. "That's a knightly
spirit. But what of Crimson Crest? What will you do?"
"The game is to spring something on Miss Vee better'n what the others
put over, is it?" says I.
"Precisely," says Eulalia, allowin' two of the young gents to help her
on with her wraps. "Have you thought what your offering is to be?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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