_Mr. Chipperfield_ (_at the door_). Sorry to cut you short in your cigar, Uncle, and you LIMPETT; but fact is, being Christmas night, I thought we'd come up a little sooner and all have a bit of a romp.... Well, EMILY, my dear, here we are, all of us--ready for anything in the way of a frolic--what's it to be? Forfeits, games, Puss in the Corner, something to cheer us all up, eh? Won't anyone make a suggestion? [_General expression of gloomy blankness._ _Algernon_ (_to his Fiancée--whom he wants to see shine_). ZEFFIE, you know no end of games--what's that one you played at home, with potatoes and a salt-spoon, _you_ know? _Zeffie_ (_blushing_). No, _please_, ALGY! I don't know _any_ games, indeed, I couldn't, _really_! _Mr. C._ Uncle JOSEPH will set us going, I'm sure--what do _you_ say, Uncle? _Uncle Joseph_. Well, I won't say "no" to a quiet rubber. _Mrs. C._ But, you see, we can't _all_ play in that, and there _is_ a pack of cards in the house somewhere; but I know two of the aces are gone, and I don't think all the court cards were there the last time we played. Still, if you can manage with what is left, we might get up a game for you. _Uncle J._ (_grimly_). Thank you, my dear, but, on the whole, I think I would almost rather romp-- _Mr. C._ Uncle JOSEPH votes for romping! What do you say to Dumb Crambo? Great fun--half of us go out, and come in on all-fours, to rhyme to "cat," or "bat," or something--_you_ can play that, LIMPETT? _Mr. Limpett_. If I _must_ find a rhyme to cat, I prefer, so soon after dinner, not to go on all-fours for it, I confess. _Mr. C._ Well, let's have something quieter, then--only _do_ settle. Musical Chairs, eh? _Algy_. ZEFFIE will play the piano for you--she plays beautifully. _Zeffie_. Not without notes, ALGY, and I forgot to bring my music with me. Shall we play "Consequences"? It's a very quiet game--you play it sitting down, with paper and pencil, you know! _Mr. Limpett_ (_sardonically, and sotto voce_). Ah, this is something _like_ a rollick now. "Consequences," eh? _Algy_ (_who has overheard--in a savage undertone_). If that isn't good enough for you, suggest something better--or shut up! [_Mr. L. prefers the latter alternative._ _Mr. C._ Now, then, have you given everybody a piece of paper, EMILY? CAROLINE, you're going to play--we can't leave _you_ out of it. _Aunt Caroline_. No, JAMES, I'd rather look on, and see you all enjoying yourselves--I've _no_ animal spirits now! _Mr. C._ Oh, nonsense! Christmas-time, you know. Let's be jolly while we can--give her a pencil, EMILY! _Aunt C._ No, I can't, really. You must excuse me. I know I'm a wet blanket; but, when I think that I mayn't be with you another Christmas, we may _most_ of us be dead by then, why--(_sobs_). _Fred_ (_the Family Failure_). That's right, Mater--trust you to see a humorous side to everything! _Another Aunt_. For shame, FRED! If you don't know who is responsible for your poor mother's low spirits, others do!