It was with the monotonous voice of an automaton they intoned:
“Faites le jeu, messieu, messieu.”
Then, after a pause of ten seconds:
“Le jeu est fait, messieu.”
Then, after two seconds:
“Rien ne va plus.”
Then mumble—mumble—mumble.
Then, “La' Rouge perd et couleur,” or whatever might be the result.
Then the croupiers first raked in the players' losses with vast expedition; next, the croupiers in charge of the funds chucked the precise amount of the winnings on to each stake with unerring dexterity and the indifference of machines; and the chant recommenced, “Faites le jeu, messieu.”
Pause, ten seconds.