"Yes. Those that went over took the sailing vessels, and the trip lasted about a couple of months or so."
They entered a modest but respectable eating house, and here Farmer Goodall ordered a substantial dinner for two. He looked curiously at Robert when the youth turned down his glass.
"What, lad, won't have a bit of ale with your eating?" he queried.
"No, Mr. Goodall, thank you just the same. I never drink."
"Don't like to mix good ale with your eating?"
"I never drink at all."
The farmer dropped his knife and fork in sheer amazement.
"So you are temperance. Well, well! you Americans are queer folks, I must allow."
"All our folks are not temperance, I can assure you of that," laughed Robert. "Some of them drink far more than is good for them."
"I've been used to my ale from childhood; I couldn't get along without it," answered the farmer, and then fell to eating, and Robert did the same.