When they came back to the warm lighted room, and Hugh had turned out the gas, he said hesitatingly.
"Agnes, I'm afraid you will be very angry with me, very upset about it, but I never thought it was so wrong in me, or I am sure I should never have done it."
"Done what, Hugh?" asked Agnes, trembling and trying to keep her voice natural.
"Yes, Hugh. Don't be afraid to say, dear; only do tell me quick."
"We were hungry, and we went in and had some lunch."
"Well?" she said, feeling as if her heart would stand still, in her fear of she knew not what.
"I was thirsty, and Tom said ginger-beer was ridiculous on Christmas-day, and he persuaded me——"
"To do what?" asked Agnes.
"To have a glass of beer," answered Hugh very low. "I saw no harm in it, as I had not signed; but John is awfully mad with me, and I've come to see that it was utterly horrid of me not to stand up against him."