But what the dickens did "left--cat--follow suit" mean?
And to fail with Nelly watching him! He pulled at his collar again.
Thus he reflected while Mrs. Arty and Tom were carrying on the
following brilliant but cryptic society-dialogue:
_Mrs. Arty:_ Well, I don't know.
_Tom:_ Not failure, but low bid is crime, little one.
_Mrs. Arty:_ Mary, shall I make--
_Tom:_ Hey! No talking 'cross table!
_Mrs. Arty:_ Um--let--me--see.
_Tom:_ Bid up, bid up! Bid a little seven on hearts?
_Mrs. Arty:_ Just for that I _will_ bid seven on hearts, smarty!
_Tom:_ Oh, how we will squat you!... What you bidding, Wrenn?
Behind Mr. Wrenn, Nelly Croubel whispered to him: "Bid seven on
no suit. You've got the joker." Her delicate forefinger, its
nail shining, was pointing at a curious card in his hand.
"Seven nosut," he mumbled.
"Eight hearts," snapped Miss Proudfoot.
Nelly drew up a chair behind Mr. Wrenn's. He listened to her
soft explanations with the desperate respect and affection which
a green subaltern would give to a general in battle.
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