Thenineholeshadbeenplayed，andbyasinglestrokeBarbarahadwonthematch，whichpleasedherverymuch，forshehaddoneherbest，andwithsuchheavyoddsinhisfavourSirRobert，whohadalsodonehisbest，wasnomeanopponent，evenforaplayerofherskill。Indeedthefighthadbeenquiteearnest，foreachpartyknewthatitwasbutapreludetoanotherandmoreseriousfight，andlookedupontheresultasinsomesenseanomen。
“Iamconquered，“hesaidinavoiceinwhichvexationstruggledwithalaugh，“andbyawomanoverwhomIhadanadvantage。Itishumiliating，forIconfessIdonotlikebeingbeaten。“
“Don’tyouthinkthatwomengenerallywiniftheymeanto？“askedBarbara。“Ibelievethatwhentheyfail，whichisoftenenough，itisbecausetheydon’tcare，orcan’tmakeuptheirminds。Awomaninearnestisadangerousantagonist。“
“Yes，“heanswered，“orthebestofallies。“Thenhegavetheclubsandhalf-a-crowntothecaddies，andwhentheywereoutofhearing，added，“MissChampers，Ihavebeenwonderingforsometimewhetheritispossiblethatyouwouldbecomesuchanallytome。“
“Iknownothingofbusiness，SirRobert；mytastesdonotliethatway。“