“If it is pleasant to you, it shall be so to me. Any where that my husband goes, surely I can go. God hath joined us together as one, and nothing should divide us.”
By this time the three glasses of brandy that Mrs. Lyon had called for were placed before her on the table.
“Bring another glass,” said Mrs. Lyon calmly, “my husband will drink with us.”
“Sally, are you mad?” ejaculated Ralph.
“Mad, to go with my husband? Why should you say that, Ralph? Drink, children,” she added, turning to her two little ones, and placing a glass of unadulterated brandy before them. “It will do you good.” As Sally said this, she lifted her own glass to her lips.
“Surely, you are not going to drink that?” said Ralph.
“Why not? You drink to forget sorrow; and if brandy have that effect, I am sure no living creature needs it more than I do. Besides, I have eaten nothing to-day, and need something to strengthen me.”
Saying this, she sipped the burning liquid, and smacking her lips, looked up into her husband’s face and smiled.
“It warms to the very heart, Ralph!” she said. “I feel better already.” Then turning to the children, whose glasses remained untouched before them, she said to the astonished little ones,
“Drink, my children! It is very good.”