d.

In the midst of the laughter Peter moved away to the tables. He looked
on here and there watching the varying fortunes with all the interest
of his intensely human mind. The weaknesses of human nature appealed
to his kindly sympathy as they can only to those of large heart. He
begrudged no man moments when the cares of everyday life might be
pushed into the background, however they might be obtained.

He argued that the judgment of Nature needed no human condemnation
added to it. Human penalty must be reserved for the administration of
social laws. To his mind the broad road of evil would automatically
claim its own without the augmentation of the loads of human freight
borne thither on the dump-carts of the self-righteous. Rather it was
his delight to hold out a hand to a poor soul in distress, even if his
own ground were none too secure.

At one table he saw the winnings almost entirely in one corner, and
the expressive yet grim faces of the other players only too plainly
showed their feelings. He noticed the greedy manner in which the
losers clutched up their cards at each fresh deal. Their hope was
invincible, and he loved them for it. It may have been the hope such
as a drowning man is credited with. It may have been the sportsman's
instinct seeking a fresh turn in fortune's wheel. It may have been
inspired by the malicious hope of the winner's downfall. But he felt
it was healthy, in spite of the ethical pronouncements of those who
repose on the pedestal of their own virtues. It was, to his mind, the
spirit of the fighter in the game of life, a spirit, which, even
though misdirected, must never be unreservedly deplored. To his mind
it were better to fight a battle, however wrong be the prompting
instinct, than to run for the shelter of supine ineptitude.

He moved slowly round the room till he came to the table where Will
Henderson was playing. He had reached his goal, and his self-imposed
task had begun. His eyes quickly scanned the table and the faces of
the five players. The other four were men he knew, not actually of the
village, but hard-faced, lean ranchmen, men who came from heaven alone
knew where, and whose earthly career was scarcely likely to bring
about the final completion of the circle.

For the moment they mattered little. It was Will he was concerned
with; nor was it with his fortunes in the game. The hand had just
finished, and he saw one of the men rake in a small pot of "ante's"
witho