“Oh, occasionally—just for amusement, you know.”
“I understand. Of course, we all play just for amusement. We don’t play to stick our friends, or anything of that sort. If we had a crowd, and were certain of no intrusion, I’d like to play a little game now. Would you come in, Harmford?”
“If the limit was made reasonable, I might sit in for a short time.”
“Well, here’s three of us,” said Chet. “That’s better than no crowd at all. Of course, it isn’t as good a game as more would make, but it will do. None of the girls will come here, and I don’t think we need to mind about the fellows.”
“Steele might object,” said Harmford apprehensively. “I wouldn’t think of starting a game without his permission.”
“Well, you and Hanks make yourselves comfortable and sociable while I look for Casper,” said Chester. “Perhaps he’ll join us.”
“Doubt it,” said Harmford. “He’s too much interested in a certain young lady. I don’t think he would venture to leave her long enough to play poker.”
Arlington left the room, but returned within ten minutes, bringing a fancy poker set, with a full supply of chips and several packs of cards.
“You were right about Steele, Harmford,” he said. “Casper said he couldn’t think of taking a hand. Said he would have to keep around with the guests, as it wouldn’t look well if he secluded himself for an hour or more. He was perfectly willing we should enjoy a little game here in the smoking room as long as we do not pull away enough of the fellows to leave any of the girls pining for partners. You know there are several fellows more than girls in the party. Now, let’s decline to take any one else into the game. Let’s make it a little exclusive, three-cornered go. We’ll play for exactly an hour, and then we’ll quit. That’s long enough.”
While speaking he had pushed a card table into position beneath the softened glow of some electric lights. The trio gathered round that table and settled down for the game.