"And how are you getting on now?" said George, when he had passed as lightly as possible over his change of position. "You have another lodger, I suppose?"
Mrs. Gray was sorry to say that she hadn't. Jimmy was very well, but some horrid person had accused him of drinking, and he had lost the secretaryship of the club.
"It's a shame!" said George. "But, between ourselves, I'm afraid there's some truth in it."
"Truth in what?" said Mrs. Gray, fearfully.
"He drinks," said George, solemnly. "Now, what did he have this morning?"
"Nothing but his breakfast," cried Mrs. Gray. "He had his breakfast and went off as usual."
"Good," thought George; "then he isn't here?"
"The fact is," he said, "I came down especially to see you about this. He must be got to sign the pledge, and we must keep the closest watch upon him to see that he never takes anything."
"Is it so bad as that?" said Mrs. Gray, with wide-open eyes.
"It is," said George, mysteriously, "for you."