"It is not that, Boyd."
"Then what is it, pray?"
"I am afraid that it is not right."
This was answered by a loud laugh from his two companions, which touched Thomas a good deal, and made him feel more ashamed of the scruples that held him back from entering into the temptation.
"Come, down with your stake, Howland!" said Boyd, after he had finished his laugh.
The hand of Thomas was in his pocket, and his fingers had grasped the silver coin, yet still he hesitated.
"Will you play, or not?" asked Boyd's friend, with something of impatience in his tone. "Say yes, or no."
For a moment the mind of Thomas became confused; then the perception came upon him as clear as a sunbeam, that it was wrong to gamble. He remembered, too, vividly, his father's parting injunction.
"No!" he said, firmly and decidedly.
Both of his companions looked disappointed and angry.