A Whist Party.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 219, 10 September 1887, Page 6

A Whist Party.

Mr Galant (who is an authority at his club) : * Are you fond of whist, Mrs Bland ?' Mrs Bland (his hostess and partner) : 1 Oh, immensely ! I fear, though, I am a little out of practice.' Mr Galant (who has his misgivings about ladies' whist) : J Perhaps you would prefer a game of cribbage ?' Mrs Bland : ( Oh, no, indeed ! I know how devoted you are to whist. Mr Bland often speaks of your prowess.' Miss Fichu (one antagonist) : ' Oh, we must play whist. I shall be too proud if we win ; and if we lose it is only what we ought to expect ' Young Darby (another antagonist) : ( Why, you know, Mr Galant, it is really awfully plucky our standing up against you at all !' Mr Galant (who does not see much sport ahead for himself) : c Well, then, we'll get to work. Will you ladies cut for the deal t ' Mrs Band (cutting an ace) : Oh, dear, low deals, and I've the very highest caid in the pack ! ' Mr Galant : { The deal is yours ; the ace is low in the deal cut. 7 Mrs Bland : l Oh, yes, I remember now. How stupid of me ! ' Mr Galant (involuntarily) : ' Don't mention it ! ' Mrs Bland (looking at her cards) : c Fancy my dealing such a hand to myself! Mr Galant, I hope I have treated you better.' Mr Galant (dryly) : { Thanks.' Miss Fichu : ' Have I got to load ? I do so hate to do that.' Young Darby (encouragingly : *If ; you'll lead any one of three suits I'll agree to take it.' i Mrs Bland : 'But beware how you lead the fourth, for that I shall win.' Mr Galant (muses to himself): 'Three aces on my left and one in my partnei's hand. This is whist.' Mrs Bland ( later in the same hand) : 1 Weil, there's the queen too. I like to use a suit up while it's fresh.' Miss Fichu : 'Sodo I ; it is so easy to remember about it then.' Young Dai by (trumping the trick) : ' Your queen is doomed, though, Mrs Bland.' Mrs Bland : ' Oh, Mr Darby, that isn't polite at all. Now, thac I think of it, you played the knave on my king, didn't you ? ' Mr Bland (faintly) : * Yes, ma'am.

Mrs Bland : 'Otydiow stupid of me I ' I'might have known/ ' Mr Galant (at the end of the hand) :■ . 'You had good trump^cards, Mrs Bland. Lpresume you did not-notice my trump signal ? ' Mrs Bland : * Qh, I 'had forgotten all about that. I must watch next time/ Miss Fichu : ' Oh, is it my lead again ? Let me see—" when in doubt lead trumps." ' Young Darby (approvingly) : 'A . very good play, Miss-Fichu.' Mrs Bland : ' Hat the trick is ours , with my ace. Now (fingering a card),., you led me something, Mr Galant,. . .What in the world was it ? ' ■ Mr Galant (whose misgivings havsbecome certainties). * ' I can hardly tell< !\ r ou that-, you know.' : Mrs Bland : 'Of- course not. Hcw> unfortunate that I. do not recall it* though ; it was a heart or a diamond.' ' Miss Fichu (facetiously) 'Lead both.' Mrs Bland : c I wish I might. I'll follow your example, and solve my doubt in trumps.' Young Darby : ' How charming, of you, Mrs Bland, r I was so hoping . you might.' Mrs Bland : 'Oh Mr Darby, did you want it ?' Mr Darby;. 'Above all things. Didn't you hear, me applaud Mis Fichu's trump lead ?' Mrs Bland : eOf course j f wi did. How very stupid !' Mr Darby (complacently lerjing his card with a jfri) ' I believe the trumps are all out, aad my spades are good. Can you tako this — or this— or this — or, I miscounted. Mr Galani has the last spade I' 1 Mrs Ehad (eagerly) : ! Oh, what-, does that do?' Mr Galot (dryly) 'It gives them, four instead of five.' Mrs Bland (quite relieved) : 'Ob,, you hay.c saved the day, Mr Galant '■'' Miss U-tahu : c And wcvhave won the game, .with two to spare/ Mrs Biand : c Oh, is,Shat really so ? Mjss fichu (on YoiuJg Darby's aim) later, piomenading lite rooms:- 'We have been playing whist witjft Mr Galaat. Do ask &s who wqti four games out of five ; rve're too modest to prios?er the information.'