THE GAME OF BILLIARDS 29

quite refreshes one’s eyes after those
dirty coats down below there, huddled
together along the roads, making such
dismal groups under the rain.

The opponent of the Marshal is a
little captain of the staff, braced up,
frizzed, gloved in white, a first-rate cue,
and capable of knocking out all the
marshals in the world; but hé knows
how to keep at a respectful distance
from his chief, and takes good care not
to win and not to lose too easily. He
is what you call an officer on promo-
tion.

Attention, young man, let us be
careful. The Marshal has fifteen, you
ten. The point is to keep the game
just at that level and you will have
done more for your advancement than
if you were outside with those fellows
down there under the torrents of water
that darken the horizon, soiling your
fine uniform and tarnishing your
golden tassels, waiting for orders that
never come.