"You are an angel, Eva."
"Well, Harry, I must say I always have had conscience about offering wine to some young men that I knew ought to keep clear of it, but it never occurred to me in regard to such a grave noble man as Bolton."
We never know who may be in this danger. It is a diseased action of the nervous system—often inherited—a thing very little understood, like the tendency to insanity or epilepsy. But while we know such things are, we cannot be too careful.
"I should never have forgiven myself, Harry, if I had done it."
"The result would have been that Bolton would never have dined with us again, he is resolute to keep entirely out of all society where this temptation meets him."
"Well, we don't want it, don't need it, and won't have it. Mary makes magnificent coffee and that's even so much better. So that matter is settled, Harry, and I'm ever and ever so glad you told me. I do admire him so much! There is something really sad and noble in his struggle."
"Many a man with that temptation who fails often exercises more self-denial, and self-restraint, than most Christians," said I.
"I'm sure I don't deny myself much. I generally want to do just what I do," said Eva.
"You always want to do all that is good and generous," said I.
"I think, on the whole," said Eva, reflectively, "my self-denial is in not doing what other people want me to. I'm like Mrs. Quickly. I want to please everybody. I wanted to please mamma and Aunt Maria."