"I'm sure, sir," he began, "that Ruth and me owe our best thanks to you and mistress for your kindness in wishing us well, and if I may be bold enough to say so, sir, we find it our pleasure as well as our duty, to try and please so good and kind a master and mistress, and here's to your health and happiness for many a long day, and the young ladies', and Mr. Harry's too." And having performed a duty for himself and Ruth, John tossed off his wine in much the same fashion as his master.
"Come, Ruth, drink your wine," said Mrs. Groombridge, perceiving that the girl's glass remained untouched.
"Drink it, Ruth," said John in an undertone.
"Come, don't be bashful, Ruth, we are all your friends," said Harry encouragingly. But Ruth advanced to the table, and with trembling hands put her full glass down. The rich colour that had dyed her cheeks a few minutes before had gone, and she was white to the lips, but her voice was firm as she answered:
"Please, ma'am, I can't drink it."
"Not drink it! Why not, Ruth?"
"Because, ma'am, as soon as I was engaged to John, I signed the pledge, and determined I would never touch any intoxicating drink again."
Mr. Groombridge raised his eyebrows, and Harry gave a low whistle of astonishment.
"What a queer fancy! Perhaps you won't have any objection to giving your reason for taking such a step," said Mrs. Groombridge, with a slight hauteur of manner.
"Because—because,"—said Ruth hesitating, and then desperately proceeding; "because, ma'am, I want to do the best for John that I can, and I mean him to have a happy home, and never any reason to be ashamed of me." Ruth stopped suddenly.