The first half hour of Molly's evening in the Little Nugget was
constrained. Up to this point she had met the men of the camp under
extraordinary circumstances. Now she was called upon to face them in
their time of relaxation and accustomed comfort. Such moments of
leisure crystallize for us men everywhere our opinions of people.
Anybody is welcome to sail with us, hunt with us, fish with us, ride
with us, work with us, provided he is personally agreeable and
understands the game. We are not so undiscriminating when it comes to
a study fire and an easy chair. Translate the study fire and the easy
chair to the Little Nugget and a quiet game, and you will see one
reason for the constraint. No unkindness was intended. The situation
was merely, but inevitably, awkward for everybody.