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."
Mark had no special scruples against betting, which is only one form of gambling, but he decidedly objected to losing money, so he answered, cautiously:
"I don't know about that. You beat me both of the other games."
"That's true; but you play better now than you did at first."