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Show 93 "We can play euchre as usual," Hugo insisted. "We just won't play for pennies." All the men grumbled, and one of them argued, "Burgess Ward was just talking about gambling in the saloons and hotels, Hugo. He didn't mean in people's houses." "Hold on a moment, chaps," Tommie Digman broke in. "Hugo respects the law, and I respect Hugo. If he doesn't want us to play for pennies in his house, then perhaps we can play for matchsticks. After the game's over, you chaps can settle up in the alley. How does that strike you, Hugo?" "Like a match." Hugo smiled, and a few of the players who weren't too disgruntled laughed at the pun. Looking around for Karl, Hugo called, "Son, run down to Santori's and get four boxes of wooden matches. Go quick like a rabbit." From the corner of the kitchen where she was fixing food for the euchre players, Maggie Rose pursed her lips and shook her head over her husband's rigid code of honor. "As long as you're going to the grocer's," she told Karl, "bring back a box of soda crackers." By the time Karl returned from the grocery store, the euchre club members were in better spirits. The bung had been tapped on the half-keg of beer, and a foam-topped stein sat before each of the men, who had started to play with as many matches as Maggie Rose could find in the house. When Karl handed the four boxes to his father, Hugo divided the extra matches into ten piles. Shortly after the game had begun in earnest, Maggie Rose stared out through the kitchen window and remarked, "Mother of God, Mayo |