won't have any objection to giving your
reason for taking such a step," said Mrs. Groombridge, with a slight
hauteur of manner.

"Because--because,"--said Ruth hesitating, and then desperately
proceeding; "because, ma'am, I want to do the best for John that I can,
and I mean him to have a happy home, and never any reason to be ashamed
of me." Ruth stopped suddenly.

"Well, well, that is very good and creditable, of course, but what has
it all to do with not touching intoxicants?" impatiently asked Mr.
Groombridge.

"Oh, sir, it has everything to do with it. If you knew what I do about
the misery and want that has come to happy hearts and homes, just
because the wife had got into the habit of taking too much drink, you
would think so too. You know, sir, I was brought up in the town, and
couldn't help seeing the curse that drink is. Sometimes the husband was
the drinker, and sometimes both of them; and there was scarce a home
about us that hadn't been ruined by drink; and so I made up my mind that
if ever I had a home of my own, I would do my part towards keeping it
free from such a curse, and for John's sake, I have signed the pledge,
and for John's sake I must keep it, sir. I hope you and mistress will
forgive me for refusing your wine."

"Bravo, Ruth! you're a brick," cried Harry.

"Be quiet, my son," said his father, adding: "Well, Ruth, I honour your
motive, but there are one or two points that I can't see at all. Surely,
if you are moderate in your use of stimulant, it would be a blessing,
and not a curse, for it is only the excessive use of intoxicants which
render them so harmful."

"I can't argue about it, sir. I only know that every man and woman who
is going down to a drunkard's grave was once moderate in the use of
stimulants, and never had a thought of taking too much. I know that
there are many who are never anything but moderate drinkers; but there's
danger somewhere, and because I can't rightly say where it comes in, and
perhaps shouldn't know when it did, I've put myself out of the way of it
altogether."

"That's woman's logic all the world over; but I would like to know why
you cannot just for once take a glass of wine. You know it's good, and
quite unlike the wretched stuff that ruins so many."

"I've promised not to take any kind of intoxicating drink, and I dare
not break my promise, sir," said Ruth firmly.

Mr. Groombridge shrugged his shoulders and rose from the table.

"Wait a minute,