Playing bridge, he [Serguei Prokofieff] was even more blunt. Through some unfortunate circumstances a few times I happened to be his partner. Although a weak player, I was not entirely insensitive to his remarks, uttered under his breath. “Why is the idiot bidding spades?” he would say, or “Should I let the cripple play his three no trumps?” One day it led to a clash that ended, however, with an affectionate embrace.