"It might make him want another, Mrs. Bright," Magnus answered respectfully. She was a very pleasant, sensible woman, and had always been very kind to him. "Want another? Well, let him have it. Two such glasses of simple punch? Why, the head that wouldn't stand that isn't worth the purchase." "Mine would be worth more before than it would after," Magnus answered gaily, but not without a twinge. "Oh, are you particularly susceptible?" "Not that I know of, ma'am." "Of course, if you are," the lady went on, "you do right to let it alone. But you might grant others the pleasure. Really, I think it is rather narrow of you, Mr. Kindred, and so I don't like it. You know you have always been my model cadet." Magnus bowed. "Fences have a narrow look, I do suppose," he said, "but they are good things, in spots. And I'd rather disappoint you so, than in some other ways, Mrs. Bright." The two stood silent for a moment, looking off towards the punch bowl. Men came and went, and went and came, with other people's glasses; and then stood still and emptied their own. Young men, old men, with women on the outskirts. "And you will not get _me_ a glass?" said Mrs. Bright; looking up at her favourite. "No, ma'am, if you please," Magnus said, with very winning deference. "You will not ask me, Mrs. Bright?" "You cannot think there is any risk for _me_? Would it be against West Point regulations? But they are not in force here." "No; although West Point honour is mine to guard, wherever I am," answered Magnus. "But I have said it to myself, that I will never take nor give the stuff in any form. For a regulation older than West Point, Mrs. Bright." "What, then?" "'If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no meat while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.'" Very hilarious voices from the region of the punch bowl emphasised the clear, brave words. "I don't like it," said the lady frankly. "You upset all my ideas." "But why do you keep him mewed up here in the corner, Mrs. Bright?" said Miss Saucy, who had been listening intently behind backs. "I don't believe he's had one scrap of supper. Have a cup of tea; do, Magnus. You can't live upon air, man, even in the plural. Here's some I brought you myself. Taste it and see how good it is. You like lemon, I know." Magnus took the cup from the glittering fingers, expressed his thanks, and tasted as he was bid. Then instantly turned and set the full cup down on the table, coming back to his place without a word. A great burst of laughter greeted him. Miss Saucy fairly sank down into a chair, and Miss Newcomb and a half-dozen more clapped hands with delight. "What is all this?" said Mrs. Bright sternly; the screaming style was not to her taste, and she had caught the sudden flush and gleam on the face of Charlemagne Kindred. "What is all this, girls?" "Rum," Magnus said briefly. "It wasn't!" cried Miss Saucy; "it was good, honest tea, Mrs. Bright." "With dishonest seasoning."