"Why did you lock up all the de--hic!--canters?" he asked.
"Because I knew the state you would come home in," returned his spouse; "and I have some regard for your health, little as you deserve it."
"You've no right, Mrs. Nuttall, to make me look--hic!--ridiculous in the eyes of my friends."
"Ridiculous!" said Mrs. Nuttall, with lofty sarcasm "As if you don't make yourself look ridiculous enough without my help! You may outrage my feelings as much as you like, sir, but you shall not turn the parlour into a tap-room, although it may be the custom in this country!"
"The two gentlemen who came home with me are very respect--hic!--table."
"Don't tell me, Mr. Nuttall!" said Mrs. Nuttall. "Gentlemen, indeed! A couple of tipsy brutes!"
"Why didn't you--hic!--go to bed? You must be very cold, sitting up with scarcely anything on."
"I am very cold. But what do you care for that?"
"Not a bit," murmured Nicholas, recklessly.
"And this man I married!" exclaimed Mrs. Nuttall, in a horror-struck voice, appealing to the chairs and tables. "This is the man I sacrificed myself for. This is the man I sit up for night after night, while he is dissipating and destroying the happiness of his family!"