(They throw down their cards; Bolland collects them and shuffles.)
WASNER [half turning to Hauser], And then there is the celebrated passage, "Ergo septa pudicitia agunt, nullis ... spectaculorum illecebris corruptae."
BEERMANN. I have six cards.
BOLLAND. The bottom one belongs to the Professor.
WASNER [as before, continuing]. So the wife lived surrounded by tenderness and care ... and so forth, "Literarum secreta...." Secret communications were not tolerated by either husband or wife.
BEERMANN. Please drop that Tacitus. It's your chance to lead....
WASNER. I pass....
HOLLAND. So do I.
BOLLAND [loudly and enthusiastically]. That's the way to get at them! Trumps! And trumps again.
WASNER [murmuring]. "Paucissima adulteria in tam numerosa gente...." [Gradually lapses into silence and then continues to play with energy.]