1♦ is 11-15, denies a 5-card major, could be short in diamonds. It is often - but not always - a weak NTish sort of hand.
1N for NS is 13-15 balanced.
* East asked North if he noticed his partner's significant hesitation.
North "No, I didn't notice and anyway I've got my bid."
West "There was a long hestitation."
North "I didn't notice."
South "Yes, I did hesitate - I was thinking of bidding." [!!!]
North "I didn't notice and anyway I've got my bid. My partner opened the bidding."
East "I would expect you to have your bid, but I'd like to call director to reserve our rights."
Director comes, notes auction and what was said, and offers to return at end if EW feel inclined once the hand is concluded.
RESULT 3♠-1.
EW ask to see North's hand - see diagram above.
They say they aren't convinced North has a 3♥ vulnerable after his partner after his partner's hesitation.
Director is recalled.
MORE CONTEXT (just in case relevant)
*This is Club match pointed pairs event.
* Most director calls are for LOOT, insufficient bids, and the like. Very director calls, if any, are called for this type of scenario.
* NS are a husband and wife partnership in their seventies how have probably been playing bridge together for 30-40 or maybe more years. One suspects they don't really notice one another's hesitations, so North may indeed not have noticed his partner's long pause.
HOW DO YOU RULE?