Gardens Yacht Club as if she had been dropped from another world
on to its porch. She had been a tired, busy woman, a few years
ago; by what witchcraft had she been brought to this? Mrs.
Billings was playing four hearts, doubled. Nancy was too deep in
uneasy thought to care much what befell the hand. She began to
plan changes, always her panacea in a dark mood. She would give up
daytime playing, like Mary Ingram. And she would never play except
at home, or in some other woman's home. Nancy was no prude, but
she was suddenly ashamed. She was ashamed to have new-comers at
the club pass by, and see that she had nothing else to do, this
afternoon, but watch a card game.

Sam Biggerstaff came to the door, and nodded to his wife. Nancy
smiled at him; "Will I do?" No, he wanted Ruth.

So his wife put her cards in Nancy's hand, and went out to talk to
him. Nancy laughed, when she came back.

"You score two tricks doubled, Ruth. I think that's too hard,
after I played them!"

"Shameful!" said Mrs. Biggerstaff, in her breathless way, slipping
into her seat. Two or three more hands were played, then Mrs.
Fielding said suddenly:

"Is the tennis finished? Who won? Aren't they all quiet--all of a
sudden?"

The other two women glanced up idly, but Mrs. Biggerstaff said
quietly: