Mrs. Gray wiped her eyes meekly.
"What you must do," said George, "is to insist on his signing the pledge. That's the only way. And you must make him promise you never to touch another drop of drink. When he's had a glass he's a different man, and isn't responsible for his actions."
"Does it—does it make him look at other girls?" asked Mrs. Gray, tremblingly.
"It does," said George. "You've guessed it at once. It makes him terribly affectionate, too. Why, when Alice—you see, it's a very peculiar disease, very common in Turkey. As soon as you begin to drink, you get an idea that every girl's in love with you. And the worst of it is that a man might propose without knowing it. Now, Flora—well, the only thing for him to do is to sign the pledge and keep it."
"He shall sign it to-morrow," said Mrs. Gray, firmly.
"I shouldn't let him know that I've been here," said George. "He'll only worry himself, thinking there's something wrong with his work."
"Who's Flora?" asked Mrs. Gray, the fierce light of jealousy kindling in her eye.
"Don't you bother about her. She won't come down here."
"She'd better not," said Mrs. Gray, with compressed lips. "I'd give her Flora—or May—or Chrissy, if she came here!"
"I believe you would," said George, with admiration.