“But what descriptions? How many kinds? for instance—”
“Kinds enough, for that matther—all sorts and sizes of liquor.”
“Have you any wine?”
“Wine! Well, now, let me speak to you as a friend; sure, 't is n't wine you'd be thinking of?”
“But, if I pay for it?”
“Pay for it—ay, and break yourself—go beyant your manes, as I said. No, no—I'll give you no wine—it would be only aidin' you in extravagance, an' I wouldn't have the sin of it to answer for. We have all enough, and too much to answer for, God knows.”
The last observation was made sotto voce, and with the serious manner of a man who uttered it under a deep sense of religious truth.
“Well,” replied the stranger, “since you won't allow me wine, have you no cheaper liquor? I am not in the habit of dining without something stronger than water.”
“So much the worse for yourself. We have good porther.”
“Bring me a bottle of it, then.”