“Oh, I understand,” he nodded. “You were moderate in your drinking. You never swam in it, like some of the fellows.”
Frank flushed. There was something offensive about the stranger’s manner, and yet the fellow seemed to mean well.
“I tell you I never drank under any circumstances,” came rather sharply from Merry’s lips.
“Oh, I beg your pardon! You see, I didn’t know about that. No offense, I trust?”
“No, but——”
“I understand. I made a break. Just like me. But I know you’re the kind of a fellow to forget it. Have a cigar.”
A well-filled case was held toward Frank.
“I do not smoke.”
“Sworn off?”
“Never smoked.”