"Oh, Frank, don't say that."
"Ay, but it's true; don't you think, Mr Oliphant, that I should be
better and safer without it?"
"I do, most sincerely, my dear boy," answered the rector; "yes, both
better and safer; and specially the latter."
"I know," said Frank, "that papa and mamma are not fond of total
abstinence; but then, I cannot think that they have really looked into
the matter as you have."
"No, Frank, your father and mother do not see the matter in the same
light as myself and I have no right to blame them, for, when I first
came to Waterland, I thought nearly the same as they do. Perhaps they
will take _my_ view by-and-by."