"If we say anything to the dear child, it would be necessary to tell her why we consider it advisable to banish wine and ale from the house, and she would be perplexed and saddened by the insight afforded into misery and degradation of which she, at present, knows nothing. Her life is all sunshine now, and we have no right to disturb her childish happiness," added Mrs. Morgan.
So Elsie's little mind puzzled over the unrevealed reason of the absence from her father's table of the bottled ales and sparkling wines, the taste of which she had already learned to like.
A year passed away, and an invitation to a children's party was sent to Elsie, who forthwith became wild with excitement. A dainty creature she looked on the afternoon of the important day. Her golden curls softly floated over her blue merino dress, and her brown eyes flashed and glowed with delight.
"Mother's darling, good-bye! try and be a little lady, and nurse shall fetch you at nine o'clock," said the mother, as she pressed her child's coral lips, and then watched the little feet trip down the road beside the servant.
The hours, brimful of frolic and merriment, passed all too quickly for the happy children, and at eight o'clock they gathered in the dining-room for the early supper. The long table was covered with luxuries, and beside each child's plate was a small glass of wine.
"Now, dear children, make yourselves quite at home, and ask for anything you want," said the hostess, as her little guests took their places.
"May I have a glass of water, please?" asked an eight-year-old boy, soon after supper had commenced, pushing his glass of wine aside.
"Oh, my dear Charlie, I am sure you will like a glass of wine much better. Gentlemen always take wine, you know," replied the lady.
"I mus'n't take wine, please, because I belong to the Young Abstainers' Union," replied Charlie.
"Why, whatever kind of a Union is that, my boy?" asked the host.