They may be hard, but they know I'm harder." "Oh," drawled the other, and his eyes held with uncomfortable steadiness on the rosy face of Lawlor.

"I understand." To cover his confusion Lawlor seized his glass.
"Here's to you--drinkin' deep." And he tossed off the mighty potion.

Bard had poured only a few drops into his glass; he had too much sympathy for his empty stomach to do more.

His host leaned back, coughing, with tears of pleasure in his eyes.
"Damn me!" he breathed reverently.

"I ain't touched stuff like this in ten years." "Is this a new stock ?" inquired Bard, apparently puzzled.
"This ?" said Lawlor, recalling his position with a start.