I went into Sandy’s room, drew a pitcher of his strong stock solution, and returned to find my visitor reading one of the books on my table. “A most exhaustive work upon marriage,” he said, running over its pages, “I finished it myself last spring. The Germans are the only thorough scholars we have, and this book by Westermark will remain a standard work.” These matter-of-course remarks of his did not interest me, so I made no reply, and merely filled two goblets with the sangaree, offering him one. He raised the glass to his lips like one accustomed to heavy draughts, emptied half of it, looked at the liquor, looked at me, looked at the liquor again, set it down, and said nothing. I refilled it before taking my seat. Thinking that I was not observing him, he scrutinized me again, once more looked at the liquor, saw me empty my glass, rubbed his nose, and then emptied his again. For a time, we sat in silence. “Do you want to know what Westermark taught me, though he contradicts it himself?” I nodded, looking him full in the eyes. “I came to the conclusion that the Almighty had married a monogamous woman to a polygamous man.” As he set down his glass, I knew that the liquor was beginning to work. I felt like another Ethan Brand. “There’s rum in your sangaree;” he said, compressing his lips. “Yes, to give it flavor with the cherry bounce--don’t you like it?” “Very much indeed. It’s difficult to procure real Medford rum these days.” “Let me fill your glass.” “Really, I have had sufficient; thank you.” I filled his glass again. “Plenty, plenty, thank you!” he insisted, as the liquor reached the brim of the glass. “But the trouble with Westermark and the other scientific observers,” I began, “is that they give you second-hand knowledge of men and women, theirs is mostly book knowledge. I always feel that I am reading works upon heated blood written by cold, dried-up, bloodless professors, who lack the first-hand experience of one’s own life.” “I am a professor myself;” said he. “I beg your pardon, but I mean--” “Tush--tush!” said he, “you are entirely right. I had to resign my professorship because of a woman. I say, this is a mighty good drink.” He took the pitcher and refilled his own glass.