"Nothing at all, unless it be a glass of water. As I have just said,
I drink nothing stronger."
"What's the reason?"
"I feel as well—indeed, a great deal better without it."
"That's all nonsense! Come, take a julep, or a brandy-punch with me."
"No, Loring, I cannot."
"I shall take it as an offence, if you do not."
"I mean no offence, and shall be sorry, if you construe into one an act not so intended. Drink if you wish to drink, but leave me in freedom to decline tasting liquor if I choose."
"Well, you are a strange kind of a genius, Haley—, but I believe I like you too well to get mad with you, although I generally take a refusal to drink with one as an insult, unless I know the person to have joined a temperance society,—and then I should deem the insult on my part, were I to urge him to violate his pledge. But I wonder you have never joined yourself to some of these ultra reformers—these teetotallers, as they call themselves."
"I have never done so,—and never intend doing so. It is sufficient for me to decline drinking, because I do not believe that stimulating beverages are good for the body or mind. I act from principle in this matter, and, therefore, want no external restraints."
"Then you are determined not to drink with me?"