Chapter III: MRS. HENRY B. GORDING, of Rochester, New York

Do you play?

MRS. WM. H. LANE, _of Brooklyn_.

No, not really. I don't quite approve of it, but I just try my luck once in awhile for amusement.

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

Yes, that's exactly the way I feel. So long as you don't go in for it seriously I don't see any harm.

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

And if you stop as soon as you begin to lose.

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

Yes, indeed! Oh my! are you putting one down?

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

Yes, I think that man looks lucky over there with the glasses; besides I like him because his wife sits right by him all the evening.

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

(_Smiling nervously and fumbling in her glove where she has concealed the money to have it conveniently ready._) Put one down for me, too; will you? (_She smiles hysterically._) Dear me, I wonder what my husband would say if he could see me?

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

I don't know a single thing about the game; do you?

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

(_With two small red spots coming into her cheeks._) Not the slightest. It's finished! I wonder who's won!

MRS. WM. LANE.

(_After a long excited sigh._) I don't know. I never can tell till I see them either taking up our chips, or else paying us!

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

(_Breathlessly._) If I lose, I shall go.

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

So shall I! We've won!

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

Ah! -- -- -- --.

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

(_Looking at least ten years older than she did two minutes before._) No, we've lost!

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

O! -- -- -- --.

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

I'm not going. I shall try once more!

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

So shall I.

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

And I don't believe the woman is that man's wife after all. If she had been we wouldn't have lost our dollars!