He had seen Severance come home several times not exactly drunk, but rather more boyishly boastful and hilarious than usual.

Even Mr.Lanley, a naturally temperate man, had not found Joe repellent in the circumstances.
Afterward he had been thankful for this weakness: it gave him the only foundation on which he could build a case not for the courts, of course, but for the world.

Unfortunately, however, Severance had pulled up before there was any question of divorce.
That was another confusing fact.

Adelaide had managed him so beautifully.
Her father had not known her wonderful powers until he saw the skill and patience with which she had dealt with Joe Severance's drinking.

Joe himself was eager to own that he owed his cure entirely to her.