Сестра Керри

Chapter XXXVI. A Grim Retrogression: The Phantom Of Chance

           

           “I’moldenoughtoplaypokeranddosomethingwithit.I’lltrymyhandto-night.”

           Visionsofabigstakefloatedbeforehim.Supposinghedidwinacoupleofhundred,wouldn’thebeinit?Lotsofsportsheknewmadetheirlivingatthisgame,andagoodliving,too.

           “TheyalwayshadasmuchasIhad,”hethought.

           Sooffhewenttoapokerroomintheneighbourhood,feelingmuchashehadintheolddays.Inthisperiodofself-forgetfulness,arousedfirstbytheshockofargumentandperfectedbyadinnerinthehotel,withcocktailsandcigars,hewasasnearlyliketheoldHurstwoodashewouldeverbeagain.ItwasnottheoldHurstwood—onlyamanarguingwithadividedconscienceandluredbyaphantom.

           Thispokerroomwasmuchliketheotherone,onlyitwasabackroominabetterdrinkingresort.Hurstwoodwatchedawhile,andthen,seeinganinterestinggame,joinedin.Asbefore,itwenteasyforawhile,hewinningafewtimesandcheeringup,losingafewpotsandgrowingmoreinterestedanddeterminedonthataccount.Atlastthefascinatinggametookastrongholdonhim.Heenjoyeditsrisksandventured,onatriflinghand,tobluffthecompanyandsecureafairstake.Tohisself-satisfactionintenseandstrong,hedidit.

           Intheheightofthisfeelinghebegantothinkhisluckwaswithhim.Nooneelsehaddonesowell.Nowcameanothermoderatehand,andagainhetriedtoopenthejack-potonit.Therewereotherstherewhowerealmostreadinghisheart,soclosewastheirobservation.

           “Ihavethreeofakind,”saidoneoftheplayerstohimself.

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