“There’s the young man who says he wants to see you,” the citizen explained, pointing to Dick.

Tom Drake walked steadily enough.  He certainly was not yet much under the influence of liquor.

“You wanted to see me?” he asked, looking somewhat puzzled as he eyed young Prescott.

“Yes,” Dick admitted.

“What about?”

“Will you take a short walk with me,” Dick went on, “and I’ll explain my business to you.”

“I don’t believe I can take a walk with you,” Drake answered.  “I’m with some friends in there.”

He nodded over his shoulder at the door through which he had just come.

“But my business is of a great deal of importance,” Dick went on.

“Can’t you see me to-morrow?” asked Drake, eager to get back to his companions.

“To-morrow will be altogether too late,” Dick replied.

“Then state your business now.”

“I’d much rather explain it you as you walk with me,” Prescott urged, earnestly.

“Are—–­are you from the building loan people?” asked Tom Drake, suddenly.

“No, I am not from them,” Prescott replied, then added, truthfully enough:  “But it’s partly about that building loan matter that I wish to talk with you.”

“Who sent you here?” asked Drake, half-suspiciously.

“A child,” Dick replied.  “At least, it was a child’s face that gave me the resolution to come here and have a few words with you.”

“A child?” repeated Drake.  “What child?”

“Yours.”

“A child?” echoed the young man.  “Mine?  Do you mean Mollie?”

“Yes,” Dick went on, rapidly.  “The child wanted to come here herself to get you, and I came in her stead.  It was better that I should come than that little tot.  Don’t you think so?”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand you,” returned Tom Drake, beginning to look offended.

“Mr. Drake, do you know that your wife and child are all dressed up—–­in their prettiest white gowns, waiting for you to come back to bring them into town to-night for the promised treat?  Don’t you understand the pain that you’re giving them by showing that you prefer a lot of red-nosed loafers in Miller’s to your own wife and child?  The unhappiness that you’re causing them to-night isn’t a circumstance to all the misery that you’re piling up for them in the years to come.  Switch off!  Switch off, while you’re yet man enough to be able to do it!  Won’t you do it—–­please?  You must know just how happy that little kid will be when she sees you come swinging down the street to bring her and her mother into town.  You know how that little tot’s eyes will shine.  Can’t you hear her saying, `Here’s papa!  He’s come.’  Isn’t that baby worth a twenty-mile walk for any man to see when he knows she’s his own kiddie and waiting for him?  Come along, now; they’re both waiting for you; they will be the happiest pair you’ve seen in a long time.”