"
"On the contrary, inordinate drinking afflicts me horribly, Nephew,
stimulates me to thought, harrows me with memory, resurrects things
best forgotten! Ah, there's the sun at last. I'll leave you,
Peregrine--I'll out to greet the day."
"I should like to walk with you if I may, sir."
"By all means, Nephew, 't will ease your head, perhaps."
And so, moving softly lest we disturb the three sonorous sleepers, a
wholly unnecessary precaution, we took our hats and surtouts and
stepped out into an empty street swept by a clean, soft wind that
cooled my throbbing temples, and my sick heaviness was lifted somewhat
in the sweet, pure breath of dawn.
"You have been about town for nearly a year, haven't you, Peregrine?"
"Yes, sir, long enough to teach me I love the country better than I
thought."
"You are sufficiently dissipated, I trust?"
"I endeavour to be, sir. Her Grace of Camberhurst shakes her head over
me, though I do my best--"
"Does it require so great an effort?"
"Somewhat, sir. You see, I find dissipation a particularly wearisome
business."
"Wearisome, Nephew? You surprise me!"
"And depressingly dreary, Uncle."
"You astonish me!"
"Indeed, dissipation thoroughly distresses me."
"You amaze me! But you gamble, I presume?"
"When nothing better offers, sir."
"Well upon me everlasting soul--!"
"I hope I do not shock you, Uncle Jervas?"
"Worry would be the more apt word, perhaps; you worry me, Nephew.
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