"Waitin' for you, Ben, old fellow," said John, patting him on the back, too much under the power of drink to know exactly what the said or did. "Goin' to Philadelphy; come on."
Benjamin was taken by surprise, and scarcely knew what to say.
Rallying himself, however, he replied:
"You are not the John Collins I invited to accompany me to
Philadelphia. I don't wish for your company."
"You are joking, Ben, old fellow"; and another pat on his back.
"I invited John Collins sober to go to Philadelphia with me; you are
John Collins drunk."
"Complimentary again," answered John, with a show of temper.
"It is time," retorted Benjamin, "It is putting me into an embarrassing situation to be tied to a drunken companion. I rather be excused."
"Don't see how I can 'scuse you, Ben. It is too late now." And the boozy fellow appeared not to imagine that he was making a fool of himself.
On reaching John's boarding place, the landlord said:
"He has been drunk ever since he reached New York; and he has gambled, too, I judge."