"Then why don't you quit?"
"Because I love to drink."
"And love to see your wife's cheek growing paler and paler every day—and your children ragged and neglected?"
"Malcom!"
"I only asked the question, Jim."
"But you know that I don't love to see them in the condition they are."
"And still, you say that you can quit drinking whenever you choose, but will not do so, because you love the taste, or the effect of the liquor, I don't know which?"
Braddock's feelings were a good deal touched, as they had been, ever since Malcom's temperance speech in the grog-shop. He stood silent for some time, and then said—
"I know it's too bad for me to drink as I do, but I will break off."
"You had better sign the pledge then."