I'll be back by tea-time, and we will have it out with my uncle." The nine holes had been played, and by a single stroke Barbara had won the match, which pleased her very much, for she had done her best, and with such heavy odds in his favour Sir Robert, who had also done his best, was no mean opponent, even for a player of her skill.

Indeed the fight had been quite earnest, for each party knew that it was but a prelude to another and more serious fight, and looked upon the result as in some sense an omen.
"I am conquered," he said in a voice in which vexation struggled with a laugh, "and by a woman over whom I had an advantage.

It is humiliating, for I confess I do not like being beaten." "Don't you think that women generally win if they mean to ?" asked Barbara.

"I believe that when they fail, which is often enough, it is because they don't care, or can't make up their minds.

A woman in earnest is a dangerous antagonist." "Yes," he answered, "or the best of allies." Then he gave the clubs and half-a-crown to the caddies, and when they were out of hearing, added, "Miss Champers, I have been wondering for some time whether it is possible that you would become such an ally to me." "I know nothing of business, Sir Robert; my tastes do not lie that way." "You know well that I was not speaking of business, Miss Champers.