An Evening at Mah Jong

           ThatnightwehadalittleMahJongparty.ThiskindofsimpleentertainmentisverypopularinKing’sAbbot.Theguestsarriveingoloshesandwaterproofsafterdinner.Theypartakeofcoffeeandlaterofcake,sandwichesandtea.

           OnthisparticularnightourguestswereMissGannettandColonelCarter,wholivesnearthechurch.Agooddealofgossipishandedroundattheseevenings,sometimesseriouslyinterferingwiththegameinprogress.Weusedtoplaybridge–chattybridgeoftheworstdescription.WefindMahJongmuchmorepeaceful.Theirritateddemandastowhyonearthyourpartnerdidnotleadacertaincardisentirelydoneawaywith,andthoughwestillexpresscriticismsfrankly,thereisnotthesameacrimoniousspirit.

           "Verycoldevening,eh,Sheppard?"saidColonelCarter,standingwithhisbacktothefire.CarolinehadtakenMissGannetttoherownroom,andwasthereassistinghertodisentangleherselffromhermanywraps."RemindsmeoftheAfghanpasses.""Indeed?"Isaidpolitely.

           "VerymysteriousbusinessthisaboutpoorAckroyd,"continuedthecolonel,acceptingacupofcoffee."Adeuceofalotbehindit–that’swhatIsay.Betweenyouandme,Sheppard,I’veheardthewordblackmailmentioned!"Thecolonelgavemethelookwhichmightbetabulated"onemanoftheworldtoanother.""Awomaninit,nodoubt,"hesaid."Dependuponit,awomaninit."CarolineandMissGannettjoinedusatthisminute.