"I saw John Roberts at Calcutta," observed Mr. Colson, "and he saw me. He also saw me play. When he saw me play, he said he doubted if he could give me fifteen in a hundred. I told him that I should like to see him do it. But he wouldn't take it on."
"Is that so?" asked Mr. Johns.
"That is so. I should like to see him give me ten in a hundred, either John Roberts or any man now living."
"I should like to have a game with you, Mr. Colson."
"You would?" Mr. Colson looked at Mr. Johns. He looked him up and down. Mr. Colson was large and florid. Mr. Johns was small and underfed. Mr. Colson was, at least, expensively attired. About Mr. John's costume there was certainly no suspicion of expense. "I don't mind having you a hundred up, my lad. How many shall I give you?"
"I am no player, Mr. Colson, but I'd like to play you even, if only for the sake of saying that I'd had the cheek to do it."
"You shall have that pleasure. And how much would you like to have on--if only for the sake of saying that you had the cheek to have it on?"
And Mr. Colson winked at the company in general.
"Well, Mr. Colson, you and the other gentlemen have won all my money; but, I daresay, I might manage ten rupees."
"Put 'em up, my lad. Here's my ten. We'll play for the twenty."