It is about the same thing as giving you half the game.

Or, if you like, I will give you seventeen points to start with, and then you will only have seventeen to make, while I am making thirty-four." "I like that best." "Now shall we play for the drinks ?" "We have just had a drink ?" "We'll have another." "Won't that be too much?
I don't want to get drunk." "Two drinks won't do you any harm.

Very well.

Now let us string for the lead." There is no need of describing the game in detail.

Mark was only a novice, while James could really make three or four points to his one.
He restrained himself, however, so that he only beat Mark by two points.
"You did splendidly, Mark," he said.