Page:Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1891 Volume 2).pdf/78

 we should take Mrs. Crick’s kind present to the children of the man who can earn nothing just now because of his attacks of delirium tremens; and he agreed that it would be a great pleasure to them; so we did.’

‘Of course,’ said Angel cheerfully, looking round for the mead.

‘I found the mead so extremely alcoholic,’ continued his mother, ‘that it was quite unfit for use as a beverage, but as valuable as rum or brandy in emergency; so I have put it in my medicine-chest.’

‘We never drink spirits at this table, on principle,’ added his father.

‘But what shall I tell the dairyman’s wife?’ said Angel.

‘The truth, of course,’ said his father.

‘I rather wanted to say we enjoyed the mead and the black-puddings very much. She is a kind, jolly sort of body, and is sure to ask me directly I return.’

‘You cannot, if we did not,’ Mr. Clare answered lucidly.

‘Ah—no; though that mead was a drop of pretty tipple.’