all about?" demands Eulalia, dancin' kittenish into the
limelight. "Rivalry among our gallant knights? Then the Princess
Charming must decide."

"Oh, don't, Cousin Eulalia," says Vee, wrinklin' her nose the least
bit. "Please!"

"Don't what?" says Eulalia, raisin' her long arms flutterin'. "My
dear, I don't understand."

"Ah, she's hintin' for you to ditch the Princess stuff," I puts in.
"Ain't that it?" and Vee nods emphatic.

Eulalia lets on that she don't know. "Ditch the--why, what can he mean
by that?" says she. "And you are a Princess Charming; isn't she, boys?"

Course the bunch admits that she is.

"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 th