“Oh, of course. Beg pardon. I’m such a teetotaller now, that I forget other people’s wants. Eh, Gertie?”
“I am sure you have been much better lately.”
“Oh, certainly! I shall not dispute it. Come along, Saul; you are case-hardened.”
He led the way to the study, and opened the closet where he kept spirit-stand and a syphon. These and glasses he placed upon the table, while Saul watched him keenly.
“There, poison yourself, my lad,” he said laughingly.
“Oh, thanks! Pleasant way of poisoning oneself though. You’ll have a drop?”
“I? No. I’ll stick to my faith now, for Gertie’s sake.”
“Just as you like,” said Saul, pouring out a portion of whiskey, and holding the glass beneath the syphon tap, to press the handle and send a bubbling stream of mineral water into the spirit.
“Your health, old fellow!” cried Saul.
“Thanks.”