A little
girl who was awake said, "Kiss me, papa, dear." Her nightgown was white
and pretty. All the clothes that lay around were good. "Now, see the
children's room," said my seedy host. "They live _there_." And, behold!
a perfectly comfortable place, fitted up with strong, good furniture.
When we went down, the Wanderer helped himself from my flask. Then, with
majesty, he observed, "You marvel to see me so shabby? Sir, you must
know that I wear my clothes till they are falling to pieces. I deny
myself everything but the booze, and I never start on that till I've
handed my daughter--bless her!--the best part of the money. I made a
promise to a saint, sir. I couldn't drop the liquor. It's my master, so
I fight as long as I can and get better as soon as possible after it's
over. I'm wrong to give way and spend money on it. I can't help myself.
But I give all but my drink-money to them. Sir, I am content to meet
the scoffs of respectability; I think only of my children in my sober
moments.
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