“What’s that to you?” said Bunny.

Jake’s face hardened a little.  “Well, I expected that,” he said.  “Afraid to tell me, eh?”

“Not in the least afraid,” said Bunny.  “I dispute your right to know, that’s all.”

“I see.”  Jake regarded him with a very direct scrutiny.  “I’m to be kept in my place, is that it?”

Bunny coloured.  “That’s the fourth time you’ve called me a bounder since we came in.  What do you mean by it, Jake?”

“What do I mean?” Jake spoke rather sadly.  “Well, maybe that’s just what I do mean, Bunny.  You’re beginning to bound.”

“Rot!” said Bunny, though he coloured more deeply than before.  “You know there isn’t another fellow anywhere that I respect as I respect you.  But—­dash it, Jake!—­you must let me grow.”

“I want you to,” said Jake.  “But for the Lord’s sake, grow straight!” He reached out and took Bunny by the shoulder.  “I’m going to ask a big thing of you, sonny, but I guess I shall know by the way you take it how much your respect for me is worth.”

“What is it?” said Bunny.

“Just this.”  Jake leaned forward; there was speculation in his look.  “I want you to chuck racing—­altogether—­for a year.  There!”

“Chuck racing!” Bunny sat up very straight.  “Jake!  Why on earth should I?”

Jake’s hand closed upon him.  He was smiling a little but there was something relentless behind his smile.  “Oh, just to please me,” he said.  “That’s all.”

Bunny stared at him.  “Chuck racing!” he said again.  “Jake, you’re mad!”

“No, I guess not,” said Jake imperturbably.  “I’m not arguing any against racing.  Played straight, it’s the best game in the world.  I’m just asking a personal favour of you.  There’s nothing to be hurt about in that.”

There was an ominous gleam in Bunny’s eyes.  He looked as if he were on the verge of open rebellion, but with his last words Jake’s steady arm suddenly went round his shoulders and gave him a hard, brotherly squeeze.

“Don’t do it if you’re going to hate me for it!” he said.  “Reckon I can’t afford that.  I knew it was a gamble when I started.  If I can’t win, I’ll back out right now.”

“Jake!” Quick feeling sounded in Bunny’s voice.  He turned sharply, and for an instant his cheek was against the kindly hand with the old boyish gesture of affection.  Then he looked Jake full in the eyes and laughed.  “Jake, I say, don’t be a beast!  You know I’ll do anything under the sun to please you.”

“You’ll do this?” said Jake.

“Tell me why first!” said Bunny.

“Because I want to know if you’ve got the grit for one thing.  And for another—­that girl who has just come here is a gambler to the backbone, and I won’t have her encouraged.”

“How on earth do you know that?” said Bunny.  “Did Charlie tell you?”

“No.”  Jake’s voice was grim.  “You don’t suppose I’d take his word for anything, do you?  I saw it in her face this afternoon.  I know that gambling fever, and she—­well, I’m inclined to think she’s had it in one form or another all her life.”