In the novel the bet why does the banker fear being pitied by the lawyer?

In Anton Chekhov's short story "The Bet," the banker fears being pitied by the lawyer because it highlights his own moral and financial decline. As the story progresses, the lawyer's decision to forgo the prize money after enduring years of isolation and reflection forces the banker to confront his own greed and emptiness. The banker worries that such pity would expose his weaknesses and failures, making him feel vulnerable and ashamed in contrast to the lawyer's profound transformation.