This done, at work we went, with heated blood and flushed faces,
Talking of kings, queens, knaves, tricks, clubs and aces.
At six bells (three P. M.,) we threw down our cards and went to dinner,
Where Madame never missed her appetite, whether she had been a loser or a winner;
Then up from the almonds and raisins, and down again to the queens and aces,
We had only to remove from one end of the table to the other to resume our places;
Another pause at six, P. M., for in spite of all our speeches,
Madame’s partner would lay down his cards for the sake of pouchong and brandy peaches;
Being French and polite, of course, she only said ‘Eh bien!’ but no doubt thought him a lubber,
For a cup of washy tea to break in upon her rubber.