"Any invitation to a quiet game of bridge," he said.

"The invitation said I was free to bring a date."

The invitations said, "In the spirit of the event, we urge you to car pool."

"When the invitation said games, I thought we'd be playing charades."

These direct negotiations, the invitation says, should follow "immediately" after the last day of the opening session.

But surely the invitations had said a week from now?

Hood's invitation had said that he was seated at table two, near the center of the room.

It shouldn't be long - the invitations said two thirty to five.

The invitation said, "Don't be late - the boat won't wait!"

What does it mean now when an invitation says black tie?