"It's hard to bring up children, and then see them go off to foreign parts so easily," murmured the poor mother.
"Why, mother, you've got Susan, and Tom, and Bess all settled near, and I'll come over and pay you a visit when I've made my fortune; and you may be sure I'll never forget the dear old folks at home;" and John laid his hand affectionately upon his mother's shoulder.
"I say, can't you stop your sentimental rubbish, and get to business?" cried Dick.
The mother sighed, and knowing well what Dick would consider a necessary prelude and accompaniment to business arrangements, brought out a bottle of spirits, some hot water, and glasses.
"Come, my dear, I'll just mix you a glass, and we'll make up our quarrel and be friends," said Dick graciously to Ruth.
"Pray don't trouble, for I never take anything of the kind," replied Ruth, very stiffly.
"Mean to say that you belong to the teetotal set!"
"I do."
"Well, I'm glad Jack's got better sense than to follow your example," answered Dick; and from that time he treated Ruth with open disdain.
For John's sake she controlled herself, and sat beside him listening, with an aching heart, to the account of colonial life as Dick had known it; watching also, with a vague uneasiness and dread, John's frequent applications to the spirit with which his brother supplied him. If, in her presence, he so readily yielded to Dick's persuasion to take "just a drop more," what might be the consequence when he was far away from her, and completely under his brother's influence?