"If you ever break your oath by on'y so much as a teaspoonful," ses
Silas, "you'll see me agin, and the second time you see me you'll die as
if struck by lightning. No man can see me twice and live."

Bill broke out in a cold perspiration all over. "You'll be careful,
won't you, Silas?" he ses. "You'll remember you 'ave seen me once, I
mean?"

"And there's another thing afore I go," ses Silas. "I've left a widder,
and if she don't get 'elp from some one she'll starve."

"Pore thing," ses Bill. "Pore thing."

"If you 'ad died afore me," ses Silas, "I should 'ave looked arter your
good wife--wot I've now put in a sound sleep--as long as I lived."

Bill didn't say anything.

"I should 'ave given 'er fifteen shillings a week," ses Silas.

"'Ow much?" ses Bill, nearly putting his 'ead up over the clothes, while
'is wife almost woke up with surprise and anger.

"Fifteen shillings," ses Silas, in 'is most awful voice. "You'll save
that over the drink."

"I--I'll go round and see her," ses Bill. "S'he might be one o' these
'ere independent--" 277