"Why?"
"Clara's got a bottle of champaign that she says she's going to make you taste this very night."
A slight shade flitted quickly over the face of Haley, as the young man said this. But it was as quickly gone, and he replied with a smile,
"Tell Clara it's no use. I'm an incorrigible cold-water man."
"She'll be too much for you."
"I'm not afraid."
"You'd be, if you were as well acquainted with her as I am. I never knew that girl to set her head about anything in my life that she didn't accomplish it. And she says that she will make you drink a glass of wine with her, in spite of all your opposition."
"She'll find herself foiled once in her life," was the laughing reply; "and so you may as well tell her that all her efforts will be in vain, and thus save further trouble."
"No, I won't, though. I'll tell her to go on, while I stand off and look at the fun. I'll bet on her, into the bargain, for I know she'll beat."
"So will I, two to one!" broke in Loring—