bit," said Dick--"not a bit; but if the people have had enough of
me I'll take your chair while you have another innings."

In a moment the room was in an uproar.

Shouts of "No, no," "Go on," "Let him speak."

In the tumult Mr. Gresley's voice, instead of being the solo, became but
as one instrument--albeit a trombone--in an orchestra.

"But I thoroughly agree with the gentlemen who spoke before me," said
Dick, when peace was restored. "Total abstinence is a long chalk below
temperance, but it's better than drunkenness any day. And if a man can't
get on without three-finger nips, let him take the pledge. There are one
or two here to-night who would be the better for it. But, to my
thinking, total abstinence is like a water mattress. It is good for a
sick man, and it's good for a man with a weak will, which is another
kind of illness. But temperance is for those who are in health. There is
a text in the Bible about wine making glad the heart of man. That's a
good text, and one to go on. As often as not texts are like bags, and a
man crams all his own rubbish into them, and expects you to take them
together. There are some men, who ought to know better, who actually get
out of that text by saying the Bible means unfermented liquor"--Mr.
Gresley became purple. "Does it? Then how about the other place where we
hear of new wine bursting old bottles. What makes them burst?
Fermentation, of course, as every village idiot knows. No, I take it
when the Bible says wine it means wine. Wine's fermented liquor, and
what's unfermented liquor? Nothing but 'pop.'"

Dick pronounced the last word with profound contempt, which was met with
enthusiastic applause.

"My last word to you, gentlemen," continued Dick, "is, keep in mind two
points: first, look out for an honest publican, if there is such an
article, who will buy only the best liquor from the best sources, and is
not bound by the breweries to sell any stuff they send along. Join
together, and make it hot for a bound publican. Kick him out, even if he
is the Squire's butler." Mr. Pratt's complexion became apoplectic. "And
the second point is, Remember some men have heads and some haven't. It
is no use for a lame man entering for a hurdle-race. A strong man can
take his whack--if it's with his food--and it will do him good, while a
weak man can't hang up his hat alter the first smile."

A storm of applause followed, which was perhaps all the heartier by
reason of the furio