His food lay untouched about his plate.

There was no disgust in Ruth's heart, only an infinite pity; for only the pitiful understand.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"I have no sympathy," replied Prudence, "with a man who deliberately fuddles himself with strong drink." "You would, if you had seen what I have.

Men in this part of the world drink to forget the things they have lost." "And what should a young man like this one have to forget ?" Prudence demanded to know.
"I wonder," said Ruth.

"Couldn't you speak to him ?" "What ?--and be insulted for my trouble?
No, thank you!" "That is it.

You complain of a condition, but you leave the correction to someone else." The spinster had no retort to offer such directness.