"You are not playing as well as usual.

I expected you, especially, to do some fine work to-day.

On the contrary, you have never played worse." Miriam looked at her brother coldly.
"Why should I help them when they have dishonored me ?" she demanded fiercely.
"How have they dishonored you, Miriam ?" asked David.
"By making me the last in everything; putting me at the foot," she said, stifling a sob of anger.
David looked at his sister sorrowfully.

He saw there was no reasoning with her in her present state of mind; yet knowing her revengeful spirit, he dreaded the consequences.
"Miriam," he said at last, speaking slowly, "perhaps, some day, you will learn by experience that the people who give a square deal are the only ones who really stay at the head.

They always win out; and those who are not on the level----" He stopped.