music and good company; and bein' out so much in the sunshine and
pure air." (Better air than Saratoga has got never wuz made; that
is my opinion and Josiah's too.) And sez I, "I lay a good deal to
that air."

"No," she said, "it wuz the water."

Sez I, "The water is good, I don't make no doubts on't." But I
continued calmly - for though I never dispute, I do most always
maintain my opinion - and I sez again calmly, "There has been a
great change in you for the better, sense you come here, Miss
Pixley. But some on't I lay to your bein' where things are so
much more cheerful and happyfyin'. You say you haint heerd a
strain of music except a base viol for over 14 years before you
come here. And though base viols if played right may be
melodious, yet Sam Pixley's base viol wuz a old one, and sort a
cracked and grumbly in tone, and he wuzn't much of a player
anyway, and to me, base viols always sounded kinder base anyway."

And sez I, "Don't you believe a gettin' out of your little low
dark rooms, shaded by Pollard willers and grave stuns, and gettin'
out onto a place where you can heer sweet music from mornin' till
night, a liftin' you up and makin' you happier - don't you believe
that has sunthin' to do with your feelin' so much better - that
and the pure sweet air of the mountains comin' down and bein'
softened and enriched by the breath of the valley, and the minerals,
makin' a balmy atmosphere most full of balm - I lay a good deal to
that."

"Oh no," sez she, "it is the water."