"The men who're lucky enough to get them ought to feel flattered," Williamson interposed.
"The brave soldiers are entitled to the best we can send them," Elsie said staunchly.
Williamson carelessly examined the work.
"This is very neat. Knitting's an essentially Scottish accomplishment. It's useful, which no doubt appeals to a race of utilitarian character."
"That's why I like it," Elsie declared. "I am Scottish in all my habits and feelings, you know."
Whitney thought there was something defiant in her voice, but he could not tell whether Williamson noticed it.
When the game was finished, Whitney took out a cigarette and walked to a match-holder, which he knew was empty.
"Will you give me a light?" he asked Williamson.
"Certainly," said Williamson, producing a well-made gun-metal case, which he immediately returned to his pocket. "I think I used the last there, but I have a box somewhere."
He handed Whitney an ordinary card box containing pine matches.