1.   There are few conversational gambits in discussions or meetings.

2.   She almost groaned aloud at her ignorance in over-reacting in such a childish way to what, obviously, he had only meant to be an amusing conversational gambit.

3.   Then there was a conversational gambit of a sort not usually enjoyed by mothers-in-law and sons-in-law at a dinner table.

4.   What Linklater does best here is to come up with conversational gambits that have just the right fancifulness to suit this situation.