' That set me
to thinking. It sounded just right. And then you were a clergyman,
you see, and had studied out these things and so your opinion was
worth something. There's no reason in your cold-water men; they
don't believe in anything but their patent cut-off. In their eyes
wine is an abomination, the mother of all evil, though the Bible
doesn't say so, Mr. Elliott, does it?"
At this reference to the Bible in connection with wine, the
clergyman's memory supplied a few passages that were not at the
moment pleasant to recall. Such as, "Wine is a mocker;" "Look not
upon the wine when it is red;" "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? ...
They that tarry long at the wine;" "At last it biteth like a
serpent, and stingeth like an adder."
"The Bible speaks often of the misuse of wine," he answered, "and
strongly condemns drunkenness."
"Of course it does, and gluttony as well. But against the moderate
use of good wine not a word is said. Isn't that so, sir?"
"Six months ago you were a sober man, Mr. Ridley, and a useful and
eminent citizen. Why did you not remain so?"
Mr. Elliott almost held his breath for the answer. He had waived the
discussion into which his visitor was drifting, and put his question
almost desperately.
"Because your remedy failed." Mr. Ridley spoke in a repressed voice,
but with a deliberate utterance. There was a glitter in his eyes,
out of which looked an evil triumph.
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