to his comfort he should be happy. The offer was embraced by
observing that if he could sit up in bed--but he was afraid he
was not able--a hit at Backgammon would be a great source of
amusement.

The lawyer, like all adepts in such matters, was only too willing
to catch at the idea; the board was brought.

Of course the man who had L50,000 to leave behind could not be
expected to play 'for love;' and so when Mr H--e proposed 'a
pound a hit or treble a gammon,' the lawyer not only thought it
reasonable, but, conscious of his power in the game, eagerly
accepted the terms of playing. They played; but the lawyer was
gammoned almost incessantly, till he lost L50. Then H--e
proposed 'double or quits to L1000,'--thereupon the poor lawyer,
believing that fortune could not always forsake him, said he had
but L2000 in the world, but that he would set the L1000. He
lost; and became almost frantic. In the midst of his excessive
grief, H--e said, 'You have a HORSE, what is it worth?' L50 was
the answer. 'Well, well, you may win all back now, and I'll set
L50 on your horse.'

They began again. Lost! 'You have a COW in your paddock,
haven't you? What's that worth?' asked Mr H--e. The attorney
said L12. 'Well, I'll set that sum by way of giving you a
chance.' The game proceeded, and the poor lawyer, equally
unfortunate, raved and swore he had lost his last shilling. 'No,
no!' said H--e,' you have not: I saw a HAY-RICK in your ground.
It is of no use now that the horse and cow are gone-- what is
that worth?' L15, replied the attorney, with a sigh. 'I set L15