21 Mr Campion’s Nerve‘Argue as much as you like, mother,’ said Mr Knapp. ‘Five queens is five queens. If these gentlemen will accept the fact that some o’ the old pack ’ave got mixed in we’ll say no more about it. Personally, I think the time’s gettin’ on.’
‘That’s right,’ said Mr Lugg. ‘I’ll be gettin’ me boots off.’
The atmosphere of the small room, which had been steadily thickening for the past two hours, was now positively sulphurous. Mr Barber, after several unsuccessful attempts to make a graceful departure, had resigned himself to his unwholesome fate. Mrs Knapp was keeping her eye on him.
Marlowe and Giles, who were profoundly relieved at the idea of doing something, at last rose to their feet, whilst the lady of the party gathered up her winnings unashamedly.
Now that the mom
