The Mysterious Shin Shira by George Edward Farrow
page 13 of 126 (10%)
page 13 of 126 (10%)
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was worse than the toothache itself.
"I hurriedly and anxiously consulted my little book to see if by any mischance I had failed in carrying out any of the directions; but no, there it was in black and white--'rub the _other_ side with a stinging nettle.' "I showed it to the Court Physician, and he said-- "'Try the "other" side, then: you've rubbed one side, try the other.' "So in fear and trembling I begged His Supreme Importance's permission to apply the remedy to his other cheek, and after some demur he agreed, but making it a condition that if it failed to act I was to be immediately beheaded. "You may imagine with what anxiety I awaited the result of my experiment, and how carefully I rubbed the nettles on. "It was all in vain: the rash spread under the nettles and the swelling grew greater than ever--evidently my fairy power refused to work--and the Grand Panjandrum was in a fearful rage. "'Fetch the Executioner!' he cried, in terrible tones. 'I will see this impostor executed before my eyes!' And twenty slaves flew to obey his command. "'Grin!' whispered the Court Physician behind his hand, 'grin and bear it; it's the only thing to be done.' |
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