A QUARREL IN A CARDROOM.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2642, 14 January 1908, Page 7

A QUARREL IN A CARDROOM.

In the days when Charles Reade was a familiar figure in Garrick Club's most select room, he and Henry .lames were one day partners at whist. Reade was one of the largest-hearted of men, but 'touchy,' and stood very much on his dignity. Cpon this occasion he happened to pause a long time before playing out a card, and this induced from Henry .James Iho friendly remonstrance "Now, then, old Cockeywax, fire away !" At the end of the game Reade with great ceremony rose and left the room, declining to play any longer. This caused .lames great distress, as nothing was further from his thoughts than an offence to Reade. When they met the next day. he went up to Reade to express his regret that he had felt annoyed at what was only meant, as a mere piece of chafT. "I don't like chaff," said Reade' in his severest maimer, "and 1 strongly object to being called old Cockeywax." "Rut." said .James, "you are mistaken : I did not say old Cockeywax, but old Cockeylorunr" "Oh !" said Reade, with a gleam of humour in his eye. "if you said old Cockeylorum that makes all the difference, and we can shake hands and sav no more about it."