"Please, sir, there's a hamper come for you," says the butler; "shall I bring it in?" "Yes, if you like." The hamper is brought in and opened; it is only a small one. In the midst of a deep bed of straw lies a hard substance; it is taken out and the paper wrapped round it unfolded; only a glass tumbler! There is a paper in it on which is written, "To Mr Mark Rothwell, from Mr Esau Tankardew, to replace what he broke last night: keep it empty, my boy; keep it empty." Nine o'clock at "The Shrubbery." Mary and her mother are seated at breakfast, both a little dull and disinclined to speak. At last Mary breaks the silence by a profound sigh. Mrs Franklin smiles, and says: "You seem rather burdened with care, my child." "Well, I don't know, dear mamma; I don't think it is exactly care, but I'm dissatisfied or disappointed that I don't feel happier for last night's party." "You don't think there was much real enjoyment in it?" "Not to _me_, mamma; and I don't imagine very much to anybody--except, perhaps, to some of the very little ones. There was a hollowness and emptiness about the whole thing; plenty of excitement and a great deal of selfishness, but nothing to make me feel really brighter and happier." "No, my child; I quite agree with you: and I was specially sorry for old Mr Tankardew. I can't quite understand what induced him to come: his conduct was very strange, and yet there is something very amiable about him in the midst of his eccentricities." "What a horror he seems to have of wine and negus and suchlike things, mamma." "Yes; and I'm sure what he saw last night would not make him any fonder of them. Poor Mark Rothwell quite forgot himself. I was truly glad to get away early." "Oh! So was I, mamma; it was terrible. I wish he wouldn't touch such things; I'm sure he'll do himself harm if he does." "Yes, indeed, Mary; harm in body, and character, and soul. Those are fearful words, `No drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God.'" "I wish I was like Mr Tankardew," says Mary, after a pause; "did you see, mamma, how he refused the negus? I never saw such a frown." "Well, Mary, I'm not certain that total abstinence would suit either of us, but it is better to be on the safe side. I am sure, in these days of special self-indulgence, it would be worth a little sacrifice if our example might do good; but I'll think about it."