“Jack—no more.”
“Oh, what’s the use——”
“No more!” declared Frank. “You are going to stop now.”
Diamond looked into Merriwell’s eyes, and was conquered.
“I suppose I’ll have to do as you say,” he groaned rather resentfully; “but you might let me taper off.”
“The only way to taper off at anything is to quit at once,” asserted Merry. “The toper who attempts to taper off never succeeds. The man who has not mind enough to quit a bad habit instantly and at once never can quit. The fellow who confesses that he cannot quit without tapering off confesses that he is weak, wavering, a creature to be pitied—a poor thing who will never make a success at anything he may undertake. Jack, I know you are going to feel bad if you stop short, but the only way to do it is to stop. Brace up, shut your teeth, and take the consequences of your own folly.”
The Southerner nodded, his face gloomy, but beginning to show resolution.
“Oh, I’ll have an awful head to-morrow!” he muttered.
“You must go to bed,” said Frank, “and try to get some sleep.”
“Blamed if I believe I can sleep!”