"Considering how little you have played, you did remarkably well.

Why, you made a run of three." "Yes, I did pretty well," said Mark, flattered by his companion's praises.
"I had hard work to beat you, I can tell you that.

As it was, you came within two points of beating.

Don't you like the game ?" "Very much." "I thought you would.

Shall we have another game ?" "I don't mind," answered Mark.
He knew that he ought to be in his room writing a composition to be delivered the next day, but such obligations sat easily upon Mark, and he did not hesitate long.
That time James allowed him to score sixteen, so that Mark was only beaten by one point.
"You see, you are improving," said James.