Again the cards were put face down, and the company was bantered to bet the wine.

Nobody would bet.
[Illustration: A NICE LITTLE GAME.] After a good deal of fluent talk, and much dexterous handling of the cards, in a way that seemed clear enough to everybody, and that showed that everybody's guess was right as to the place of the ace, the near-sighted gentleman, who had drunk with Norman, offered to bet five dollars.
"Five dollars!" returned Parkins, laughing in derision, "five dollars! Do you think I'm a gambler?
I don't want any gentleman's money.

I've got all the money I need.

However, if you would like to bet the wine with me, I am agreed." The near-sighted gentleman declined to wager anything but just the five dollars, and Parkins spurned his proposition with the scorn of a gentleman who would on no account bet a cent of money.

But he grew excited, and bantered the whole crowd.