Well, it was truly the first time that she had seen him in such a state.
“Oh, to be a drunkard!” she replied. “Oh, could I ever believe that I should see you rolling about the street?”
“It was the first time, Lily, and it shall be the last. Forgive me and 443 take me on again. If you give me up I shall go to the devil!”
“Charley”—her voice broke into a sob—“you have made me miserable—I was so proud of you. No other girl, I thought, had such a clever sweetheart; and last Tuesday—oh! it’s dreadful to think of.”
“Yes, Lily, I know. There’s only one excuse. I spoke for more than an hour, and I was exhausted. So what I took went to my head. Another time I should not have felt it a bit. And when I found myself staggering I was going home as fast as possible, and as bad luck would have it, I must needs meet you.”
“Good luck, I call it. Else I might never have found it out till too late.”
“Lily, make it up. Give me another chance. I’ll swear off. I’ll take the pledge.”
He caught her hand and held it.