"I—I said, for more than I could afford—"
"No, you said you would not play; that is what you promised, Gerald."
"Well, I meant for high stakes; I—well, you don't want to drive me out altogether—even from the perfectly harmless pleasure of playing for nominal stakes—"
"Yes, I do!"
"W-why?" asked the boy in hurt surprise.
"Because it is dangerous sport, Gerald—"
"What! To play for a few cents a point—"
"Yes, to play for anything. And as far as that goes there will be no such play as you imagine."
"Yes, there will—I beg your pardon—but Jack Ruthven said so—"
"Gerald, listen to me. A bo—a man like yourself has no business playing with people whose losses never interfere with their appetites next day. A business man has no right to play such a game, anyway. I wonder what Mr. Neergard would say if he knew you—"