Totem slipped out from behind her, giving what sounded like a hiss as he dodged past her feet.
"I loathe the animal," said Mrs. Carr bluntly, and walked past him.
Professor Carr had made arrangements for a final rubber, men at one table, women at the other.
"A barbaric arrangement," said Tansy, winking. "You really don't think we can play bridge at all."
"On the contrary, my dear, I think you play very well," Carr replied seriously. "But I confess that at times I prefer to play with men. I can get a better idea of what's going on in their minds. Whereas women still baffle me."
"As they should, dear," added Mrs. Carr, bringing a flurry of laughter.
The cards suddenly began to run freakishly, with abnormal distribution of suits, and play took a wild turn. But Norman found it impossible to concentrate, which made Sawtelle an even more jittery partner than usual.
He kept listening to what the women were saying at the other table. His rebellious imagination persisted in reading hidden meanings into the most innocuous remarks.
"You usually hold wonderful hands, Tansy. But now you don't seem to have any," said Mrs. Carr. But suppose she was referring to the kind of hand you wrapped in flannel?
"Oh, well, unlucky in cards ... you know." How had Mrs. Sawtelle meant to finish the remark? Lucky in love? Lucky in sorcery? Idiotic notion!