"Tell her about the trip?"
"No."
"What trip?" demanded their daughter.
"We are going off on the Abercrombie Brendons' yacht, and your
unfortunate return has forced Mrs. Brendon to include you in the party."
"I hope you said 'No, thanks' for me."
"We said 'yes' for you," replied Wally.
"But I won't go. Shut up on a boat with you two and the Brendons? Not
much."
"You're not being consulted," remarked her mother, coolly.
"You'll have to drag me aboard."
Mrs. Bryce's temper flared.
"You will walk aboard and you will behave like a decent individual while
we are on this cruise, or there will be the most serious consequences
you have ever met yet. Nobody wants you on this party, you understand,
and the less conspicuous you make yourself, the better."
Isabelle beamed upon them.
"Thank you so much for your charming invitation, my dear, doting
parents. I accept with pleasure, and I think I can promise you that your
little outing will be a complete success, so far as I am concerned."
She laughed lightly, and Mr. and Mrs. Bryce exchanged uneasy glances.
Something in that laugh did not promise well for their holiday.