Mr.Gammon, who made up a trio at the supper table, put on his best behaviour.

It might perhaps have been suspected that he had quenched his thirst more often than was needful on a day of showers and falling temperature, but at supper he drank only two glasses of mild ale, and casually remarked, as he poured out the second, that he had serious thoughts of becoming a total abstainer.
"You might do worse than that," said Mrs.Clover meaningly, but with good nature.
"You think so?
Say the word, Mrs.Clover, and I'll do it." "I shan't say the word, because I know you couldn't live without a glass of beer.

There's no harm in that.

But when--" The remark was left incomplete.
"Hush!" came from Mrs.Bubb in the same moment.

"Wasn't that the front door ?" All listened.