LUNCH IN THE Woop. | 23

He poured out a glass, and presented it first, from
courtesy, to Maurice Gray, as he was a stranger. 'To
his surprise and mortification, Maurice politely, but
decidedly, declined it. |

“Do you not drink champagne, Maurice?” said
Dick. “If not, just try this. It is very nice, and
quite refreshing after a walk.”

“No, I thank you,” said Maurice, “you must excuse
me, Dick, I had rather not take any.”

“Why, you are not very polite,” said Dick, “to
decline taking it, when I got it on purpose to treat you —
with, thinking to give you pleasure.”

“Tam sorry you should consider me impolite,” said
Maurice. “I do not intend to be so, but I would
rather be thought impolite than do what I feel to be
wrong.”

“Wrong!” said Dick; “why, what can there be
wrong in a simple glass of champagne? Do not be so_
queer. A young man, fourteen years of age, is certainly
at liberty to take a glass of wine if he pleases. We no
longer consider ourselves children. I am sure I, for
one, feel- capable of judging what is right and fitting
for me to do; but there are plenty to drink it if you
will not, Maurice;” and the bottles were speedily
emptied by the other boys. | a

“You lost a most excellent glass of champagne,
Maurice,” said Bob Newton. “What is there wrong
in taking it, I should like to know ?”