"What, then?"
"'If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no meat while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.'"
Very hilarious voices from the region of the punch bowl emphasised the clear, brave words.
"I don't like it," said the lady frankly. "You upset all my ideas."
"But why do you keep him mewed up here in the corner, Mrs. Bright?" said Miss Saucy, who had been listening intently behind backs. "I don't believe he's had one scrap of supper. Have a cup of tea; do, Magnus. You can't live upon air, man, even in the plural. Here's some I brought you myself. Taste it and see how good it is. You like lemon, I know."
Magnus took the cup from the glittering fingers, expressed his thanks, and tasted as he was bid. Then instantly turned and set the full cup down on the table, coming back to his place without a word.
A great burst of laughter greeted him. Miss Saucy fairly sank down into a chair, and Miss Newcomb and a half-dozen more clapped hands with delight.
"What is all this?" said Mrs. Bright sternly; the screaming style was not to her taste, and she had caught the sudden flush and gleam on the face of Charlemagne Kindred. "What is all this, girls?"
"Rum," Magnus said briefly.
"It wasn't!" cried Miss Saucy; "it was good, honest tea, Mrs. Bright."