"Well," resumed Hemstead, somewhat confused, "I do not know that
a quiet game such as you would play here would be wrong in itself.
But the associations of the game are bad, and your example might
be injurious."

"The associations bad!" said Lottie, lifting her eyebrows. "Cards
are associated in my mind with father, mother, and quiet home
evenings."

"I have chiefly seen them played by rough characters, and in
questionable places," he replied quickly.

"I'm sorry you visit such places," she replied in a tone of rebuke.

Even Mr. Dimmerly and his sister laughed at this remark, as coming
from Lottie, while the others were almost convulsed. Bel managed
to gasp out, as a blind, "Mr. Harcourt, if you don't behave yourself
and play fair, I'll throw down my hand."

But straightforward Hemstead increased difficulties by saying, a
little stiffly, "I hope, Miss Marsden, that you do not suppose that
one of my calling would frequent places of improper resort."

"No, indeed," she replied quickly, "and therefore I was the more
surprised when you spoke of witnessing something in 'questionable
places.'"

He turned to her with a look in which perplexity and annoyance
were mingled, and said hastily: "It is different with a man from a
lady. A man is more out in the world, and, no matter how careful,