But I got even with her once. One
evening the doctor, who was her partner at whist, was called out, and
I was ordered to take his place. Now, I played a pretty good game at
whist, better than the doctor did by a long chalk I flattered myself;
but I didn't often play at home unless I was wanted to make up a
table, and very glad I was to get out of it, for the ill-temper of
those old harridans when they lost was something fearful.
"It was only penny points, but if they had been playing for five
pounds they couldn't have taken it more to heart; and of course if I
had the misfortune of being their partner they put it down entirely to
my bad play. Well, we held good cards, and at last we only wanted the
odd trick to win. I held the last trump. Mrs. O'Toole was beaming as
she led the best spade, and felt that the game was won. I could not
resist the temptation, but put my trump on her spade, led my small
card, and the game was lost. Mrs. O'Toole gave a scream and sank back
in her chair almost fainting, and when she recovered her breath and
her voice went on like a maniac, and had a desperate quarrel with my
aunts. I made my escape, and three days later, to my huge delight, was
sent off to Dublin and entered the university. I only stayed there
about six months, when a friend of my father's got me a commission;
but that six months cured me of my shyness.
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