merowvst

@@@@@ Hearn was surprised, a little uneasy"I don't think I'll give you much of a battle The General set up a small folding table between them, and began placing the pieces on the boardHearn had talked to him about chess once or twice, and the General had spoken vaguely of playing, but Hearn had discounted it"You really want to play?" he asked "If someone walks in, it'll be a pretty sight The General grinned"Clandestine, eh?" He had finished arranging the pieces, and he picked up a red and a white pawn, hid one in each of his fists and then extended them for Hearn to choose"I'm rather fond of this set," the General said genially"It's hand-carved ivory, not really so dear as you'd think, but the man who made it is a pretty indisputably a craftsman Hearn, without comment, picked the red pawn, and after replacing them the General made the opening moveHearn gave a conventional response, settled his head comfortably in his large hands, and tried to study the boardBut he found himself nervousHe was feeling both excited and depressed