'Is it a difficult one?' I demanded.

'Why, it is not very easy: two things are needful--natural talent, and
constant practice; but I'll show you a point or two connected with the
game'; and, placing his table between his knees as he sat over the side
of the pit, he produced three thimbles, and a small brown pellet,
something resembling a pea. He moved the thimble and pellet about, now
placing it to all appearance under one, and now under another; 'Under
which is it now?' he said at last. 'Under that,' said I, pointing to the
lowermost of the thimbles, which, as they stood, formed a kind of
triangle. 'No,' said he, 'it is not, but lift it up'; and, when I lifted
up the thimble, the pellet, in truth, was not under it. 'It was under
none of them,' said he, 'it was pressed by my little finger against my
palm'; and then he showed me how he did the trick, and asked me if the
game was not a funny one; and, on my answering in the affirmative, he
said, 'I am glad you like it; come along and let us win some money.'

Thereupon, getting up, he placed the table before him, and was moving
away; observing, however, that I did not stir, he asked me what I was
staying for. 'Merely for my own pleasure,' said I; 'I like sitting here
very well.' 'Then you won't close?' said the man. 'By no means,' I
replied; 'your proposal does not suit me.' 'You may be principal in
time,' said the man. 'That makes no difference,' said I; and, sitting
with my legs over the pit, I forthwith began to decline an Armenian noun.
'That ain't cant,' said the man; 'no, nor gypsy either. Well, if you
won't close, another will, I can't lose any more time,' and forthwith he
departed.

And after I had declined four Armenian nouns, of different declensions, I
rose from the side of the pit, and wandered about amongst the various
groups of people scattered over the green. Presently I came to where the
man of the thimbles was standing, with the table before him, and many
people about him. 'Them who finds, wins, and them who can't find,
loses,' he cried. Various individuals tried to find the pellet, but all
were unsuccessful, till at last considerable dissatisfaction was
expressed, and the terms rogue and cheat were lavished upon him. 'Never
cheated anybody in all my life,' he cried; and, observing me at hand,
'didn't I play fair, my lord?' he inquired. But I made no answer.
Presently some more played, and he permitted one or two to win, and the
eagernes