Can you play _ecarte_, Ruth, or picquet ?" "No, sir; I have sometimes played at beggar-my-neighbour," answered Ruth, humbly, regretting her own deficiencies.
He murmured impatiently, and there was silence for another half-hour.
Then he sprang up, and rung the bell violently.

"Ask Mrs Morgan for a pack of cards.

Ruthie, I'll teach you _ecarte_," said he.
But Ruth was stupid, not so good as a dummy, he said; and it was no fun betting against himself.

So the cards were flung across the table--on the floor--anywhere.

Ruth picked them up.