He was of the number who could take a social glass and not feel a craving for more.

He believed in wine as a good thing, only condemning its abuse.
"What were you saying about Dead Sea apples ?" Mr.Elliott repeated his question.
"We were speaking of intemperance," replied one of the gentlemen.
"O--h!" in a prolonged and slightly indifferent tone.

Mr.Elliott's countenance lost some of its radiance.

"And what were you saying about it ?" Common politeness required as much as this, even though the subject was felt to be out of place.
"We were talking with Dr.Angier just now about hereditary drunkenness, or rather the inherited predisposition to that vice--disease, as the doctor calls it.

This predisposition he says exists in a large number of persons, and is as well defined pathologically, and as certain to become active, under favoring causes, as any other disease.