"Mrs. Christy, I've so anticipated to-day! I adore bridge and to have the pleasure of being one of your guests made it additionally delightful."
The three moved on and glanced over the rapidly crowding rooms.
"Really," whispered Mrs. Norman, "everybody is here. I'm amazed! There are the Baring De Wolfs and the Wilson Delafields and Mrs. Morgan Knickerbocker. You know how exclusive they are! And there is Mrs. Cecil Jerome! I saw her yesterday and she never said a word about coming."
"Let's go and speak to her a moment before they sit down to play," suggested Ethel Danielson.
As they drifted in and out of the gathering assembly, varied snatches of conversation reached them:
"Yes, but overloaded--like the owner's hats! She is awfully bothered about getting hats, she told me, and recently a French milliner begged to see 'WHAT SHE COULD DO WITH HER.' Judging from the hat Mrs. Christy wore at the St. Regis the other day, I guess the woman found out! Any milliner who can get a patron to step out of the solitude of her boudoir in such a concoction must have convinced herself that she can do ANYTHING with her!"
"I don't think much of her gown," murmured another, "hideously unbecoming!"
"I hope we shall not run into any of those people who 'TAKE A HAND JUST TO ACCOMMODATE!'" chimed another. "I think there ought to be a law prohibiting women who haven't taken lessons in the game, going to parties and helping lose other people's money for them."
"I hate to play with either of those Hartwells--they simply blow your head off after every hand; they haven't any manners!" put in a blond in a creation of blue chiffon and silver.
"That girl in white over there ought to be ruled out!" said another guest. "She is that artist visiting the Hollingsworths. She made it HEARTS when I played with her once, 'so to lose as little as possible,' she said."
The calling of the game cut short further comments.
The company was seated, the hands dealt, and the great bridge party was at last really under way.
"Are they starting? I hope people won't talk--I don't think it's fair. Is it my make? I haven't a thing! I'll pass it. CLUBS! Heavens! I could have done better than that myself! What on earth did you have in your hand? I don't care what Elwell says--I don't think that's enough; of course we couldn't make it on that hand! It seems a shame to THROW points away. I am NOT angry--do you think I mind a few dollars? it's only so unnecessary! How many hands do we have to play with each partner? I never said I wanted to get rid of you. No, it's NOT the same thing--I simply asked!"