"And then?" questioned Matthew.
"Then there's nothing more to be done, except to sit quiet and silent and watch your wife's face."
"Where I shall see ten thousand furies, if I don't answer her."
"You are a man, what need you care? Do as I bid you every time you are tempted to go to the Public-house; never miss once until the box is empty. Then bring it back to me."
"And suppose I miss. What then?"
"How do you mean?"
"Why; what if when I finds myself so near the door of the Public—you see, ma'am, it's a great temptation—I turns in and gets a drop afore I comes home?"
"Then you must add another stone instead of taking one away, and don't attempt to deceive me, or the charm will work harm instead of good."
Deceive her; no. Matthew had far too much faith in the charm to do that; there was no occasion for her fears.
"And is this the only charm you know of?" he asked.