New-York tribune., 1909-02-07
MANNERS At BRIDGE
Guests zcith Little Regard for the
HosteSs's Feelings

II there IS one time above all others when women
develop tantrums in the best society II is at
bridge when for some cause or other things DO
not 90 their way. One such disturbance will natu
rally cause the hostess great distress, and often
result IN the breaking up of lifelong friendship
On no other occasion do guests dare take such
liberties with their hostess as at bridge parties
beginning with the minor but upsetting Of
late arrival and ending with that grave offence CT
playing for stakes. when they know her scruples
against gambling.
When they offend in the latter they are likely
TO be irnpertnent II interfered with This is not
displayed at the time perhaps, though many do
convey subtle insolence in their reply 10 her re-
quest that II shall not be done, but in their atti
tude toward her and the guest who by refusing TO
play for money has brought about the situation
little affair OF this kind cannot be better illus
trated than in the offenders own words
DO you know Mrs. So-and-so?' asked fashion
ably dressed woman at q bridge table. well.
never will go there again for any Of her stupid
bridge for although her prizes expensive she
knows absolutely nothing OF her guests privileges.
She is so old-fashioned that she viii not play tor
money, and actually had the assurance 10 ask, in
fact announce, before We began that she did not
wish any to play for stakes. But at our table
ne did It, just the same and kept scores
GoubIy so that she could never know won S75.
for II FIVE cents point and so Of that was
from that little fool debutante Smith, the pretty,
fluffy haired She doesn't know anything about
the game, and I suppose she thought it was five
when said I must have the amount by Monday
7 got a check and a nasty note from her father
to-day, so I asked Tom who Smith was and TO
nv horror. learned he the president Of the
trust company that Tom has been trying to make
take some bonds OF his trolley line OF course
I didn't tell Tom what had happened. for he would
have been furious. promised not TO play over
q quarter OF cent point. But the whole thing
is Mrs Saunder's fault anyway. and she knew we
all played for stakes except the Smith girl, and
she also knew that Mrs. Brown was always the
fourth at our table other houses. So she should
have put all together, usual. Some day she
will learn that has right TO stop people
from doing they wish. and that 1t is none of
her business If they choose TO play for money, as
they are invited TO her house for their pleasure.
The singular part of this episode is the gamblers
indifference TO the harm she has done by giving
in TO her passion for stakes. The hostess Of that
occasion will invite her again, the girls first
winter is shadowed by unfortunate occasion, and
her husbands business prospects are in jeopardy.
The woman that is continuously whining over
being tired and wishing openly for the time to go
home is another tax all at bridge table and
so is the one that talks necessarily throughout the
game.
Then, too, how often rise
from the table when the game is finished, cross
to another table and sink into a seat with the
audible remark of: For heavens sake let stay
here and get rid Of that man" Her behavior is
blandly smiled upon and the mans discontinue
R{RRied over BY all when he returns with the cham
paRne she sent him for. TO find her place vacant
and her back squarey turned upon him.