She recoiled from the unaccustomed caress, and both she and Mrs.
Dagon perceived in his appearance and manner, as well as in the odor which presently filled the room, that Abel was intoxicated.
"May, darling," he began in a maudlin tone, "how's our dear mother ?" "She's pretty well," replied May, "but you had better not go up and see her." "No, darling, I won't go if you say not." His eyes then fell uncertainly upon Mrs.Dagon, and he added, thickly, "That's only Aunt Dagon.

How do, Aunt Dagon ?" He smiled at her and at May, and continued, "I don't mind Aunt Dagon.

Do you mind her, May ?" "What do you want, Abel ?" asked May, with the old expression sliding into her eyes that used to be there when she sat alone--a fairy princess in her tower, and thought of many things.
Abel had seated himself upon the sofa, with his hat still on his head.
There was perhaps something in May's tone that alarmed him, for he began to shed tears.
"Oh! May, don't you love your poor Abel ?" She looked at him without speaking.

At length she said, "Where have you been ?" "I've been to General Belch's," he sobbed, in reply; "and I don't mind Aunt Dagon, if you don't." "What do you mean by that, you silly fool ?" asked Mrs.Dagon, sharply.
Abel stopped and looked half angry, for a moment, but immediately fell into the old strain.
"I mean I'd just as lieve say it before her." "Then say it," said May.
"Well, May, darling, couldn't you now just coax Gabriel--good fellow, Gabriel--used to know him and love him at school--couldn't you coax him to get Uncle Lawrence to do something ?" May shook her head.

Abel began to snivel.
"I don't mean for the house.