Now it was not only on Mick's account, but quite as much in reference to Dick Shand, that Caldigate deprecated any reference to drink.

The abstention hitherto had been marvellous.

He himself would have gone daily to the store for a bottle of beer, but that he recognised the expediency of keeping them away from the place.

He had heard that it was a peculiarity of the country that all labour was done without drink, even when it was done by determined drunkards.

The drunkard would work for a month, and then drink for a month,--and then, after a time, would die.