I wouldn't have dreamed of playing cards with you if I
had ever intended to keep one penny of your money. From the very
start I intended to keep it for you, and give it back to you so
soon as you would stop; and now you have a chance to put this
money to a good use. You don't have to stay on the 'Times' now.
You can't do your novel justice while you are doing your hack work
at the same time, and I do so want 'In Defiance of Authority' to
be a success. I've faith in you, Condy. I know if you got the
opportunity you would make a success."
"But you and I have played like two men playing," exclaimed Condy.
"How would it look if Sargeant, say, should give me back the money
he had won from me? What a cad I would be to take it!"
"That's just it--we've not played like two men. Then I WOULD have
been a gambler. I've played with you because I thought it would
make a way for you to break off with the habit; and knowing as I
did how fond you were of playing cards and how bad it was for you,
how wicked it would have been for me to have played with you in
any other spirit! Don't you see? And as it has turned out, you've
given up playing, and you've enough money to make it possible for
you to write your novel. The Centennial Company have asked you to
try a story of adventure for them, you've found one that is
splendid, you're just the man who could handle it, and now you've
got the money to make it possible. Condy," she exclaimed
suddenly, "don't you see your CHANCE? Aren't you a big enough man
to see your chance when it comes? And, besides, do you think I
would take MONEY from you? Can't you understand? If you don't take
this money that belongs to you, you would insult me.
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