John shook his head sadly. "Ah, but the present evil?"

But Gifford answered cheerfully, "Oh, well, the present evil is one stage
of development; to live up to the best one knows is morality, and the
preservation of self is the best some of these people know; we can only
wait hopefully for the future."

"Morality is not enough," John said gently. "Morality never saved a soul,
Mr. Woodhouse."

But Helen laughed gayly: "John, dear, Gifford doesn't understand your
awful Presbyterian doctrines, and there is no use trying to convert him."

Gifford smiled, and owned good-naturedly that he was a heathen. "But I
think," he said, "the thing which keeps the town back most is liquor."

"It is, indeed," John answered, eagerly. "If it could be banished!"

"High license is the only practical remedy," said Gifford, his face full
of interest; but John's fell.

"No, no, not that; no compromise with sin will help us. I would have it
impossible to find a drop of liquor in Lockhaven."

"What would you do in case of sickness?" Gifford asked curiously.

"I wouldn't have it used."

"Oh, John, dear," Helen protested, "don't you think that's rather