"I suppose one of us must ask him to play again; but do you know, I don't like the fellow."
"On the other hand, I do," said Purvis. "I shall make up to him to-night. He is one of those men who make you want to know them better. I'll warrant he could tell us a curious history if he liked."
The next day Signor Ricordo and Sprague played their return match, but the latter was not at his best. He complained that he had an attack of indigestion, and that his nerves had gone wrong. As a consequence Ricordo won easily.
"You play a remarkable game, signore; that is for one who has had so little practice," he said.
"Ah, I am but a beginner, Mr. Sprague," he said quietly; "some time perhaps I may play a good game."
"You never suffer from nerves, I suppose?"
"Yes, horribly."
"Then you have wonderful self-command."
"A man can will anything. There is no difficulty that will-power cannot overcome. Golf, like life, is a game; to will to win, is to win."
"I willed to win; but lost."