_Mrs. Vaughn._ I am so glad you could and would come, Colonel Graham. Now we shall have a delightful evening at whist. You are such a superb player that I am sure I shall learn more about the game by playing with you a single evening than I should by studying the books for a year. _Colonel Graham._ You are too good. I make not the slightest pretence of-- _Mrs. V._ Oh, of course not. You are too modest; but everybody says that you are a wonderful player. I only hope you won't be too hard on me if I make a mistake. _Miss Vaughn._ Oh, I am so glad mamma is your partner, Colonel Graham. I should be frightened to death if I had to play with you. Mr. Talbot will be a good deal more merciful, I am sure. _Mr. Talbot._ Anything you do is sure to be right, Miss Vaughn. If you can put up with me, I am sure I can afford to overlook any mistakes you make. I play whist so seldom that I am all out of practice. _Miss V._ (_dealing_). Oh, I just never play, only when I have to make up the table. I have so many things on hand. Why weren't you at the Wentworths' last night, Mr. Talbot? _Mr. T._ I was out of town. I think you gave yourself two cards that time. _Miss V._ Oh, dear! Have I made a misdeal? I wish you'd count your cards. _Colonel G._ You are right. The next card is mine. _Miss V._ Thank you. _Mrs. V._ That came out all right. _Colonel G._ But the trump is not turned. _Miss V._ Oh, which was the last card? I am sure I don't know; I've got them all mixed up now. _Mrs. V._ Well, never mind. Let me draw one. That will do just as well. _Mr. T._ Diamonds? Can't you draw again? I haven't-- _Miss V._ I don't think it was diamonds. I am almost sure it was spades. _Mrs. V._ No, diamonds suits me, and of course you can't change it now; can she, Colonel Graham? _Colonel G._ It isn't customary, I believe, unless we are to play Auction Pitch, and bid for the trump. _Miss V._ Oh, now you are going to be sarcastic! I don't think that's fair. _Mrs. V._ Do you put your trumps at one end of your hand, Colonel Graham? _Colonel G._ No, I do not, but some people find it a convenience. _Mr. T._ Is it my lead? _Colonel G._ No, it is my partner's. _Mrs. V._ Oh, is it my lead? I'm sure I don't know what to play. You always lead from your long suit, don't you? There, I hope that queen will be good. _Mr. T._ No, it won't, for I have the ace. _Mrs. V._ Oh, you mean man! Partner, can't you trump that? _Colonel G._ I have suit. _Miss V._ There, I have got to put the king on, and I think it is mean. _Mr. T._ I am awfully sorry. If I'd only known-- _Miss V._ I shook my head at you, but you wouldn't look up. _Mrs. V._ That wasn't fair, and you deserve to be beaten. Now my jack is good, any way. _Mr. T._ It isn't your lead. I took the trick. _Mrs. V._ Oh, I beg pardon. _Miss V._ I would have trumped it, any way. _Mr. T._ I wish I knew what you have. _Miss V._ I wish I could tell you. Don't make it too dark. _Mr. T._ Then I'll lead diamonds.