250 SPORTING REMINISCENCES 



" Madam, 



I can't come Monday but I will cum Wens- 

 day to do the chimbly if it will ' soot ' you. 



Yrs. faithfully. 



Etc." 



The sea reminds me of a bridge story, because 

 this happened at a well-known seaside hotel. 



It was before the days of Auction Bridge, and 

 a very good player strolled into the hall one wet 

 evening with a look of complete bewilderment on 

 his face. 



" Funny Bridge you play down here," he said 

 softly. 



A good lady player was instantly up in arms — 

 asking why. 



" Oh, it was only a game I watched in the 

 drawing-room. Four ladies playing. The dealer 

 went no trumps, dummy put down five spades to 

 the king and ace of diamonds, and nothing else 

 of note. First player led a diamond. Dealer 

 took it with the ace, led five spades out of dummy 

 and discarded five clubs to them, then she put 

 herself into her own hand with the ace of clubs 

 and led five spades from it. And — the only remark 

 one of the opponents made was — How very funny, 

 they have all the black cards and we have all the 

 red ones ! 



