"I am delighted to hear that you have reformed, then." This' time there was a general laugh.

Jim Duff flushed angrily.
"Reade, what you never understood about me is that I belong to the ranks of the square gamblers." "I didn't believe there were any such gamblers," Tom replied in a voice of surprise.

"It is still hard for me to believe.

How can any man be square and honorable when he won't work, but fattens on the earnings of others?
Has that idea any connection with honor ?" "Stop that line of talk, you young hound!" ordered Duff, striding up to this bold young enemy.

All the slight veneer of polish that Duff usually affected had vanished now.