"Once upon a time," I said, "there was a lad who wanted to get into the Admiralty. But his mother said, 'Not until you have learnt to swim, Thomas.' So he had a set of six private lessons for one guinea before he went in for the examination. He came out thirty-eight, and was offered a lucrative appointment in the post office.... Hence his enormous skill at billiards. Thick or clear?"
"I will adventure half-a-crown upon the game," said Thomas, giving a miss.
"Right O, Rothschild. Now, are you ready, marker? I'm spot. Hadn't you better oil the board a bit? Well, as long as you can work it quickly enough."
I took careful aim, and my ball went up the table and back again, with the idea, I imagine, of inspecting the wicket. It seemed quite fast.
"One all," said Myra, and Thomas kindly brought his ball and mine to the top of the table.
"I fancy I shall be able to swerve from this end," I said. I tried a delicate cannon, and just missed the object ball. "I shall find a spot directly—there's one under the red ball, I believe."
"Do try and hit something," said Myra.
"The marker is not allowed to give advice," I said sternly. "What's the matter, Thomas?"
"I'm not quite sure what to do."
"I think you ought to chalk your cue here," I said, after examining the position.