“You’ll find your partner amply able to keep you straight,” she answered.
The game began. Miss Tilghman won the cut and made it a Royal Spade.
“They no longer play Royal Spades in New York,” said Miss Erskine.
“Don’t know about New York,” returned Miss Tilghman, placidly, “but we’re playing them here, this evening. Your lead, Miss Amelia.”
The latter shut her thick lips tightly, an instant.
“Oh, well, I suppose we must be provincial a little longer,” she said, sarcastically. “Of course, you do not still play Royal Spades in Northumberland, Mr. Croyden.”
“Yes, indeed! Play anything to keep the game moving,” Croyden answered.
“Oh, to be sure! I forgot, for the instant, that Northumberland is a rapid town.—I call that card, Edith—the King of Hearts!” as Miss Tilghman inadvertently exposed it.
A moment later, Miss Tilghman, through anger, also committed a revoke, which her play on the succeeding trick disclosed.
That it was a game for pure pleasure, without stakes, made no difference to Miss Erskine. Technically it was a revoke, and she was within her rights when she exclaimed it.