Miss D. Because I don’t happen to have brought any money with me.

Mr. C. Oh, I daresay I can accommodate you with a franc or two, if that’s all.

Miss D. Thank you, I won’t trouble you:  but do back him yourself, just to see if I’m not right.

Croupier.  Les jeux sont faits.  Rien ne va plus!

Mr. C. (throwing a franc on the table).  Sur le sept! (To Miss D.) I say, he’s raked it in.  What’s that for?

Miss D. For the Bank, or Charity, or something—­they always do that if you stake too late.

Mr. C. Swindle, I call it.  And I should have won, too—­it is 7.  I’ve had enough of this—­suppose we go and dance?

Miss D. Why, you’re not going to give in already—­after so nearly winning, too?

Mr. C. Ah, well, I’ll have just one more go—­and then we’ll be off.  I’m going to try the 9 this time. [He stakes.

Miss D. I should have gone on the 4—­it’s time one of the even numbers won again.

Mr. C. Oh, would you?  All right, then. (To Cr.) Pas sur le neuf—­le quatre. (The Croupier transfers the franc to 4.) They’re off—­can’t tell the winner yet.  Now they’re slower—­4’s good—­4’s very good.  See where he’s stopped, not an inch from the post!  This isn’t half a bad game.

    [A horse with a red flag at his head, labelled No. 9, creeps
    slowly up, and stops just ahead of 4.

Croupier.  Neuf, impair, et rouge!

Mr. C. It’s 9 after all—­and I backed him first. (In an injured tone.) I should have won if you hadn’t said that about 4!

Miss D. (with secret delight).  I won’t advise any more.  What are you going to back?

Mr. C. We really ought to be dancing—­but I’ll try my luck once more on No. 4.  I shall put on two francs this time.

Miss D. Shall you?  How reckless!  I heard someone say just now that No. 1 hasn’t won for a long time.

Mr. C. I took your advice once too often.  There—­4’s going to win—­see how he’s going round—­no, he’s passed.

    [A horse with a yellow flag, labelled No. 1, stops close to
    the post.

Croupier. L’As, impair, et jaune!

Miss D. Didn’t I tell you so?

Mr. C. You only said I hadn’t won—­not that he would.  If you had spoken more plainly—!  I don’t think much of this game—­I’ve dropped four francs already.  How about that dance?

Miss D. (ironically).  It would be rather a pity to go away without getting all that money back, wouldn’t it?

Mr. C. (seriously).  Perhaps it would.  You’re sure you’re in no hurry about this dance?

Miss D. On the contrary!