“I knew it was some flippant observation,” retorted the Canon.
“The bishop suggested that total abstinence in the clergy served as an example,” said Lionel, mildly.
“As an example it has been a dismal failure. For many years I have searched for some successful results, for one man who would prove to me that, being a drunkard, he was so much impressed by the example of his clergyman, who for his sake and imitation ceased to drink his glass of beer at luncheon, his glass of port at dinner, or his glass of whisky and water at night, that he broke away from his vicious indulgence and became a sober man.”
Ponsonby stood at the Canon’s elbow, patiently waiting for the end of this harangue.
“Hock, sir?” said he, in sepulchral tones.
“Certainly, Ponsonby, certainly!” replied the Canon, so vigorously that the butler was not a little disconcerted. “What do you think of this hock, Thomas? Not bad, I flatter myself.”
He raised the glass to his nose and inhaled the pleasant odour. He drank his wine and smiled. An expression of placid satisfaction came over his face. He favoured the company with a Latin quotation:
“O quam bonum est,
O quam jucundum est,
Poculis fraternis gaudere.”