as beginning to feel very uncomfortable. It was rank treason to sit
by and listen to all this without putting in a word for my friend; and
yet in this company I could not for the life of me make the venture.
Indeed, to my shame be it said, with the eyes of my companions upon me,
and their laughter in my ears, I even faintly joined in the smile at
poor Jack's expense.

"Is this pleasant chap a friend of yours?" said the Field-Marshal.

"Yes," said I, rather hesitatingly, "we were at school together, you
know."

I despised myself heart and soul for my cowardice, and for me the rest
of the meal passed with little enjoyment.

And when the cloth was cleared away fresh difficulties presented
themselves.

"Are you a good hand at whist?" asked Adam, as we stood in front of the
fire.

"No," said I; "I don't play."

"Don't you? We'll give you a lesson, then."

Now my bringing-up had been peculiar, as the reader knows. In many ways
it had been strict, and in many ways lax; but one of the scruples I had
always carried about with me was on the subject of gambling.

Consequently I felt particularly uncomfortable at the twin's offer, and
at a loss how to respond to it; and before I could resolve the chance
was gone.

"Now then," said Doubleday, "make up your fours there, but for goodness'
sake don't let both the patriarchs get at the same table! You with the
paper and Crow, and Paddy and I--we'll have this table, and you other
four take the other;" and before I knew where I was I found myself
seated at a table, opposite Whipcord, with thirteen cards in my hand.

I did not know what to do. Had my partner been any one but Whipcord,
with the straw in his mouth, I do believe I should have made a mild
protest. Had Doubleday or Crow been one of our party, I might have
screwed up my courage. But Whipcord had impressed me as a particularly
knowing and important personage, and I felt quite abashed in his
presence, and would not for anything have him think I considered
anything that he did not correct.

"I'm afraid I don't know the way to play," said I, apologetically, when
the game began.

"You don't!" said he. "Why, where were you at school? Never mind,
you'll soon get into it."

This last prophecy was fulfilled. Somehow or other I picked up the game
pretty quickly, and earned a great deal of applause from my partner by
my play. Indeed, despite my being a new hand, our side won, and the
Field-Marshal and Abel had