The evening
happened to be exceedingly hot and sultry, and, as we were all
fanning ourselves and talking languidly, Abel bethought him of his
beer. In his thirst, he drank the contents of the first bottle,
almost at a single draught.
"`The effect of beer,' said he, `depends, I think, on the
commixture of the nourishing principle of the grain with the
cooling properties of the water. Perhaps, hereafter, a liquid food
of the same character may be invented, which shall save us from
mastication and all the diseases of the teeth.'
"Hollins and Shelldrake, at his invitation, divided a bottle
between them, and he took a second. The potent beverage was not
long in acting on a brain so unaccustomed to its influence. He
grew unusually talkative and sentimental, in a few minutes.
"`Oh, sing, somebody!' he sighed in a hoarse rapture: `the night
was made for Song.'
"Miss Ringtop, nothing loath, immediately commenced, `When stars
are in the quiet skies;' but scarcely had she finished the first
verse before Abel interrupted her.
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