"Then see me home. I will make it worth your while."
"I shall be glad to do so," said Rupert, cheerfully.
"I suppose you understand what is the matter with me?"
"I should think you had been drinking too much."
"You are right. I have. Shameful, isn't it?"
"Well, it isn't altogether creditable," said Rupert, not wishing to hurt the other's feelings.
"I should say not. However, it isn't quite so bad as it seems. I haven't been drinking hard, only I am so constituted that I can drink but little without its affecting me."
They had now reached the stairway leading up to the Elevated road.
"Help me upstairs, boy. What is your name?"
"Rupert."