James Matthew Barrie

What Every Woman Knows James Matthew Barrie

James Wylie is about to make a move on the dambrod, and in the little Scotch room thereis an awful silence befitting the occasion. James with his hand poised-for if he touches apiece he has to play it, Alick will see to that-raises his red head suddenly to read Alick'sface. His father, who is Alick, is pretending to be in a panic lest James should make thismove. James grins heartlessly, and his fingers are about to close on the 'man' when someinstinct of self-preservation makes him peep once more. This time Alick is caught: theunholy ecstasy on his face tells as plain as porridge that he has been luring James todestruction. James glares; and, too late, his opponent is a simple old father again. Jamesmops his head, sprawls in the manner most conducive to thought in the Wylie family, and, protruding his underlip, settles down to a reconsideration of the board. Alick blows out hischeeks, and a drop of water settles on the point of his nose. You will find them thus any Saturday night (after family worship, which sends theservant to bed); and sometimes the pauses are so long that in the end they forget whosemove it is