It was now twelve, and, as Ellis had taken only a light breakfast, and omitted his morning dram, he felt both hungry and dry.

Almost as a matter of course, he was about entering this drinking-house, when, as he stepped on the threshold, his eyes rested on the form of Carlton, standing by the bar with a glass in his hand.

Quickly he turned away, and kept on to his store, where he quenched his thirst with a copious draught of ice-water.

Not a drop of liquor had passed his lips when he went home at dinner-time.

And he was as free from its influence when he joined his family at the close of day.