"Then what did he mean? Or what do you mean?"
"Well, Flora, I will ask you a question: How many people do you know who live to do Christ's will?"
Flora did not answer immediately. Maggie on her part went to calculating.
"I know—I know—three!" she said slowly.
"Three!" said Flora. "Who are they?"
"That's not the question, Flo," said her brother. "How many do you know?"
"Well," said Flora, "Mr. Murray is one, and you are another, I believe; but there are other nice people in the world."
"I know people drink," said Maggie, so gravely and sagely that the others laughed. "I do know. I have seen them at our house. You needn't say anything, Esther; I have once or twice when I have been at dinner, when you were not at home. Not papa, of course, and they don't do it now. Papa won't have wine on the table at all, but I saw how they did. Some of the gentlemen began with whisky and water, and one took brandy and water, before dinner began."
"Oh stop, Maggie!" Esther exclaimed.
"No, but I want to tell you. Then they took Greek wine or Sauterne with their soup. Then they took champagne with the dinner. Then they had port wine with the cheese—oh, I recollect, Esther—and then they had Madeira and sherry with dessert, and claret and Madeira and sherry with the fruit. And some of them drank every one. I am glad papa won't have wine at all now. Uncle Eden wouldn't, a good while ago."