So far both sides, as the umpires say on Territorial field-days, had acquitted themselves in a manner deserving great credit; but the waiter scored the odd and winning trick a little later, in a particularly subtle manner. Age and experience always tell. Nicky, unduly inflated by early success, insisted upon Stiffy ordering a liqueur with his coffee. Green Chartreuse was finally selected and brought.
"Shall I pour it into your coffee, sir?" asked the waiter respectfully.
"Please," said the unsuspecting Stiffy.
The man obeyed, and directly afterwards emitted a sound which caused both children to glance up suddenly. They glared suspiciously, first at one another, then at the back of the retreating foe.
"Do people drink Green Chartreuse in their coffee?" asked Nicky apprehensively.
"I don't know," said Stiffy. He tasted the compound. "No, I'm blowed if they do! Nicky, we've been had. He's one up!"
"It would score him off," replied the undefeated Nicky, "if you could manage to be sick."
But Stiffy held out no hope of this happy retaliation; and they ultimately produced the five-pound note and paid the score with somewhat chastened mien, adding a douceur which was as excessive as it was unnecessary. Waiters do not get much entertainment out of serving meals as a rule.
II.
"Now we must meet Daphne," said Stiffy, as they left the restaurant and hailed a cab.