She kept the corner of her eye, nevertheless, upon the group at the table.

The girl with the long pigtail had made the coffee and was pouring it into cups.
A shorter girl nudged her and whispered something, at which she shook her head emphatically.

But the short girl persisted.
"I'm superstitious," affirmed the latter aloud.

"One's for sorrow, two's for joy, and three's for luck! She's the third to-day and she may be a mascot." "I'd rather have chocolates than mascots," said an injured voice from behind a coffee-cup.
The chance remark gave Irene the very opportunity she needed.

She suddenly remembered the chocolates her father had handed her before she left the hotel, and, producing the package, she offered its contents.
After a visible moment of hesitation the girl with the long pigtail accepted her hospitality, and passed the delicacies round.