He put out the table and the cards and they played. He said:

“I wonder how you can stand seeing them play the old, old game.”

“What old game?”

“Marriage. Killing each other in the first few weeks and then—humbug.”

“George is a very good husband and father.”

“He lives with a woman in his house and children come automatically.”

“He is very good to Elsie.”

“He placates her.”

Mrs. Fourmy took out the ace of diamonds and covered it. René said: