Page:The Englishwoman in America (IA englishwomaninam00birdrich).pdf/471

 French side-dishes, a profusion of jellies, puddings, and pastry, and a plentiful dessert of fresh and preserved fruits. Many people complain of a want of appetite at sea, and the number of bottles of "Perrin's Sauce" used in the Cunard steamers must almost make the fortune of the maker. At seven o'clock the tea-bell rings, but the tables are comparatively deserted, for from half-past nine to half-past ten people can order whatever they please in the way of supper.

In the America, as it was a winter-passage, few persons chose to walk on deck after dinner, consequently the saloon from eight till eleven presented the appearance of a room at a fashionable hotel. There were two regularly organised whist-parties, which played rubbers ad infinitum. Cards indeed were played at most of the tables—some played backgammon—a few would doze over odd volumes of old novels—while three chess-boards would be employed at a time, for there were ten persons perfectly devoted to this noble game. The varied employments of the occupants of the saloon produced a strange mixture of conversations. One evening, while waiting the slow movements of an opponent at chess, the following remarks in slightly raised tones were audible above the rest:—"Do you really think me pretty?—Oh flattering man!—Deuce, ace—Treble, double, and rub—That's a good hand—Check—It's your play—You've gammoned me—Ay, ay, sir—Parbleu!—Holloa! steward, whisky-toddy for four—I totally despise conventionalisms—Checkmate—Brandy-punch for six—You've thrown away all your hearts"—"and a hundred others, many of them demands for something from the culinary department. Occasionally a forlorn wight, who neither played chess nor