Twice he reached thirty and broke down; once he reached thirty-one and broke down.

These "nears" made him frantic, and I believe I was never so happy in my life, except the time, a few years later, when the Rev.J.H.Twichell and I walked to Boston and he had the celebrated conversation with the hostler at the Inn at Ashford, Connecticut.
At last, when we were notified that Patrick was at the door to drive him to his train, George owed me five thousand cigars at twenty-five cents apiece, and I was so sorry I could have hugged him.

But he shouted, "Give me ten minutes more!" and added stormily, "it's double or quits again, and I'll win out free of debt or owe you ten thousand cigars, and you'll pay the funeral expenses." He began on his final effort, and I believe that in all my experience among both amateurs and experts, I have never seen a cue so carefully handled in my lifetime as George handled his upon this intensely interesting occasion.

He got safely up to twenty-five, and then ceased to breathe.

So did I.He labored along, and added a point, another point, still another point, and finally reached thirty-one.