It's the keeping it up that's the
grind."
"But it's the keeping it up, Condy, that makes you WORTH BEING
GOOD when you finally get to be good; don't you think? It's the
keeping it up that makes you strong; and then when you get to be
good you can make your goodness count. What's a good man if he's
weak?--if his goodness is better than he is himself? It's the good
man who is strong--as strong as his goodness, and who can make his
goodness count--who is the right kind of man. That's what I
think."
There's something in that, there's something in that." Then, after
a pause: "I played Monday night, after all, Blix, after promising
I wouldn't."
For a time she did not answer, and when she spoke, she spoke
quietly: "Well--I'm glad you told me"; and after a little she
added, "Can't you stop, Condy?"
"Why, yes--yes, of course--I--oh, Blix, sometimes I don't know!
You can't understand! How could a girl understand the power of it?
Other things, I don't say; but when it comes to gambling, there
seems to be another me that does precisely as he chooses, whether
I will or not. But I'm going to do my best. I haven't played
since, although there was plenty of chance. You see, this card
business is only a part of this club life, this city life--like
drinking and--other vices of men. If I didn't have to lead the
life, or if I didn't go with that crowd--Sargeant and the rest of
those men--it would be different; easier, maybe."
"But a man ought to be strong enough to be himself and master of
himself anywhere.
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