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Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 103, November 12, 1892 By: Various |
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VOL. 103 NOVEMBER 12, 1892 THE GAME OF THE LITTLE HORSES. ( A SKETCH AT THE CASINO, DINARD. ) On either side of the circular Race course, with its
revolving metal horses, is a Green Table, divided into
numbered squares, around which the Players, who are mostly
English, are sitting or standing. A Croupier with his rake
presides at each table. In an obscure corner of the balcony
outside, Miss DAINTREE and her Married Sister have just
established themselves. There is a Ball at the Casino, and the
Orchestra are heard tuning up for the next dance. The Married Sister . But SYLVIA, why have you dragged me out here to
sit in the dark? I thought you were engaged for this? Miss Daintree . So I am to such a horrid little man. That's why I
fled. He won't think of coming here after me! The M.S. What made you give him a dance at all? Miss D. JACK brought him up to me so naturally I thought he was
a dear friend of his, but it seems he only sat next to him at table
d'hôte , and JACK says he pestered him so for an introduction, he
had to do it to get rid of him. So like a brother, wasn't it?...
Oh, AMY, he's coming what shall I do? I know he can't dance a
little bit! I watched him trying. The M.S. Can't you ask him to sit it out? Miss D. That's worse ! Let's hope he won't notice us. Ah he
has ! [Illustration: "Our dance, I believe?"] [ Mr. CUBSON, a podgy young man with small eyes and a scrubby
moustache, wearing a tailless evening coat and a wrinkled
white waistcoat, advances. Mr. Cubson . Our dance, I believe? ( The Orchestra strikes up. )
Isn't that the Pas de Quatre? To tell you the truth, I'm not
very well up in these new steps, so I shall trust to you to pull me
through soon get into it, y'know. Miss D. ( to herself ). If I could only get out of it! ( She
rises with a look of mute appeal to her Sister.) We can go through
this room. ( They pass into the Salle des Petits Chevaux. ) Stop one
minute I just want to see which horse wins. Don't you call this a
fascinating game? Mr. C. Well, I don't understand the way they play it here too
complicated far me , you know! Miss D. ( to herself ). Anything to gain time! ( Aloud. ) Oh, it's
quite simple you just put your money down on any number you choose,
and say " Sur le " whatever it is, and, if it wins, you get seven
times your stake. Croupier . Tous sont payés faites vos jeux, Messieurs, les jeux
sont partis! Miss D. I know what I should do I should back 7 this time. I've a
presentiment he'll win. Mr. C. Then why don't you back him? 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 ... Continue reading book >>
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