He restrained himself, however, so that he only beat Mark by two points.
"You did splendidly, Mark," he said. "Considering how little you have
played, you did remarkably well. Why, you made a run of three."
"Yes, I did pretty well," said Mark, flattered by his companion's
praises.
"I had hard work to beat you, I can tell you that. As it was, you came
within two points of beating. Don't you like the game?"
"Very much."
"I thought you would. Shall we have another game?"
"I don't mind," answered Mark.
He knew that he ought to be in his room writing a composition to be
delivered the next day, but such obligations sat easily upon Mark, and
he did not hesitate long.
That time James allowed him to score sixteen, so that Mark was only
beaten by one point.
"You see, you are improving," said James. "I played a better game that
time than before, and still you came within one of beating me."
"I think I shall become a good player in time," said Mark, complacently.
"Yes, and in a very short time. Now," said James, "I have a proposal to
make to you."
"What is it?"
"We'll bet twenty-five cents on the next game, to give a little interest
to it.
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