The Great Mother

9

No one in the gym responded for half a minute after Antony finished.

"Did my story provoke Mr. Rabbit?" Antony thought about it and peeked at Mr. Rabbit. Since Mr. Rabbit and Mr. Dog were wearing headgear, Antony could not see their expressions. They seemed to be in deep thought and did not move a muscle.

Antony fidgeted for a moment. When he was about to say something to make up for his story, the applause began.

Mr. Rabbit raised his arm and applauded. While applauding, he looked back at Mr. Dog. Then Mr. Dog also applauded.

The applause was much louder than what Doris had just received.

"I will win," Antony thought.

"Can I go out now?" Antony asked carefully.

"Shameless! You can't leave here!" Doris had a pale face and was so jealous that she gritted her teeth at Antony.

"This old woman is a hindrance. If it weren't for me losing to her deliberately yesterday, I probably would have already left by now," thought Antony.