restraining herself from laughing outright. She managed, however, to
keep a straight face, and replied:

"Well, this time I will allow it to pass; but never let me hear of
such conduct again, or I will not be so lenient."

"Thank you, missus; and may I ask you a queshun?"

"Yes."

"I want ter ask you, how yer kep' them there fel's from a dyin'?
'Cause when they're bin tuk like they wuz tuk yer could jest bet every
muel in the kerral that they'd peg out in twenty-seven hours at
furthest."

"God did it, not I," replied Agnes.

"Don't call me sassin' yer, agin, Miss Agony, but that ain't so;
'cause thar's nuthin' 'll fetch 'em, when they're tuk the way they wuz
tuk. It's magic done it, nuthin' else!"

"Well, in case you should feel the headache, sick stomach, and chill
coming on at any time, or fall in with any person suffering that way,
remember the following recipe. Take out your book again and put it
down."

"Yes, Miss Agony, willin'."

The fellow produced his book and pencil, and holding the former flat
up against the door, wrote at Miss Arnold's dictation: