“Thank you, Mr. Gregory: I never drink wine,” answered the quartermaster, as he looked over the three former occupants of the mess-room; and he was fully satisfied that all of them had been partaking of the wine.
If the first officer of the steamer was not tipsy, he had never seen a person in that condition.
“If you never drank any wine, it is time for you to begin,” chuckled Gregory.
“Thank you, Mr. Gregory: I don’t wish for any,” returned Lawring decidedly.
“I tell you to drink it; and I am the first officer of this craft.”
“Excuse me: I signed the pledge before I left home; and I intend never to drink any thing as long as I live.”
“But I am your superior officer!” persisted Gregory, in broken speech. “You must obey me!”
The tippler began to be angry, and stormed at the quartermaster in his incoherent speech.
“I will not drink wine in obedience to any body’s orders,” replied Lawring firmly.
“You won’t! then I’ll make you drink it!”