"You don't drink beer!" exclaimed the visitor, stepping back in his apparent astonishment. "How long has that been?"
"I haven't tasted beer, or any thing of the kind, since I came to this school, about two years ago," replied the captain of the Lily.
"Then, it was only because you couldn't get any beer."
"Perhaps that is one reason, though I haven't tried to get any. I had it all about me while I was at home in New York, but I had decided not to take any under any circumstances."
"Then, it is time for you to begin again. Come along, Matt."
"No beer for me, and I cannot go with you," added Matt resolutely. "I made up my mind a year ago not to drink any thing that fuddles, and to keep out of bad company."
"Bad company!" exclaimed Spickles, looking earnestly into the face of his former associate in the city.
"That is what I said; and I advise you to do the same thing, Spickles. It is best to keep on the safe side of the evils of this world."
"You are a regular built parson!"
This conversation was continued for some time longer, but the captain of the Lily remained as firm as the rocks in the quarry above Beechwater. The visitor was not only disgusted with his want of success in enticing his former companion to the schooner in the river, but he was offended at what he considered the stiffness of Matt. When the latter spoke of keeping out of bad company, he put the coat on, whether he saw that it fitted him or not.