But that precaution was utterly useless, for Aunt Nancy would make them
all form in a line, and in that way would soon miss any absentees; but
there were always volunteers to hunt out and run down and bring back the
shirkers, who, besides having to take the vermifuge, would get a
whipping into the bargain.

And even after Aunt Nancy would get them into line, and their hands
crossed behind their backs, she would have to watch very closely, or
some wicked little "nig" would slip into the place of the one just above
him, and make a horrible face, and spit, and wipe his mouth as if he had
just taken his dose; and thereby the one whose place he had taken would
have to swallow a double portion, while he escaped entirely; or else a
scuffle would ensue, and a very animated discussion between the parties
as to who had taken the last dose; and unless it could be decided
satisfactorily, Aunt Nancy would administer a dose to each one; for, in
her opinion, "too much furmifuge wuz better 'n none."

And so you see the giving of the vermifuge consumed considerable time.
After that was through with, she would begin again at the head of the
line, and, making each child open its mouth to its fullest extent, she
would examine each throat closely, and if any of them had their "palates
down," she would catch up a little clump of hair right on top of their
heads and wrap it around as tightly as she could with a string, and
then, catching hold of this "topknot," she would pull with all her
might to bring up the palate. The unlucky little "nig" in the meanwhile
kept up the most unearthly yells, for so great was the depravity among
them that they had rather have their palates down than up. Keeping their
"palate locks" tied was a source of great trouble and worriment to Aunt
Nancy.