“One no trump,” Monty declared.
“Two royals,” Nora cried, not that she had them, but to take it away from Monty.
“Pass,” said Alice glumly. She could have gone two royals, but dared not risk three.
“Give me three cards,” Michael cried more cheerfully. The way was becoming clearer.
“Michael,” his wife said reprovingly, “if you’re really as tired as that, you’d better go to bed.”
“I never broke up a poker game in my life,” he cried. “It’s only the shank of the evening. What’s happened, partner?” he yawned to Nora.
“I went two royals,” she said.
Michael looked at his hand enthusiastically. “Three aces,” he murmured. “I’d like to open it for two dollars—as it is, I pass.”
“Two no trumps,” said Monty. When the rest had passed, Nora led and Monty played from the dummy. Michael, at last feeling he was rounding into form, played a low card, so that dummy took the trick with a nine.
“Anything wrong?” he asked anxiously as Nora shook her head.