Various circumstances served to strengthen the intimacy between the two. In the first place neither had any weighty occupations to prevent their drinking or playing billiards together, and it chanced after a time that this became a regular business with them.
Ben Brayton was an average player, and appeared nearly equal to his new friend. At all events, in the friendly trials of skill that took place between them, Ben came off victorious perhaps a third of the time.
"Come, Ben," said Winchester, one morning, "this is slow. Suppose we make the games a little more exciting by staking a little on the game."
"You're a better player than I am, Winchester," said Ben.
"Not much. You beat me pretty often. However, I'll give you twenty points, and stake a dollar on the game."
"I don't mind," said Ben. "A dollar isn't much."