At Ion, Max played the part of host, taking Ralph up to his own bedroom to
show him his books and other treasures, to the boys' work-room, out to the
stables to see the horses, and about the grounds.
To-day, at Roselands, it was Ralph's turn to entertain. He soon drew Max
away from the company in the parlors, showed him the horses and dogs, then
invited him to take a walk.
It was near dinner time when they returned. After dinner he took him to
his room, and producing a pack of cards, invited him to play.
"Cards!" exclaimed Max. "I don't know anything about playing with them,
and don't want to."
"Why not? are you too pious?" Ralph asked with a sneer, tumbling them out
in a heap upon the table.
"I've always been taught that men gamble with cards, and that gambling is
very wicked and disgraceful, quite as bad as getting drunk."
"Pooh! you're a muff!"
"I'd rather be a muff than a gambler, any day," returned Max with spirit.
"Pshaw! 'tisn't gambling, unless you play for money, and I haven't asked
you to do that, and don't propose to. Come now, take a hand," urged Ralph
persuasively. "There isn't a bit more harm in it than in a game of ball.
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