Butwe'vegottostayheretonight，nomatterwhocomesordoesn'tcome，andwe'vegottobekeerfulinspeakin'tothewomanofthehouse。Ifsheisonekindofaperson，wecanoffertopayforlodgin'sandhorse-feed；butifsheisanotherkind，wemuststeerclearofmentionin'pay，foritwillmakeherangry。Youhadbetterleavetheexplainin'businesstome。"
　　IwasabouttoreplythatIwasmorethanwillingtodosowhenthedooropenedandapersonentered——evidentlythemistressofthehouse。Shewastallandthin，pastmiddleage，andplainlydressed。Herpalecountenanceworeadefiantlook，andbehindherspectaclesblazedapairofdarkeyes，which，afteraninstant'ssurveyofhervisitors，werefixedsteadilyuponme。Shemadebutastepintotheroom，andstoodholdingthedoor。Webothrosefromourchairs。
　　"Youcansitdownagain，"shesaidsharplytome。"Idon'twantyou。Now，sir，"shecontinued，turningtoUncleBeamish，"pleasecomewithme。"
　　UncleBeamishgaveaglanceofsurpriseatme，butheimmediatelyfollowedtheoldladyoutoftheroom，andthedoorwasclosedbehindthem。
　　Fortenminutes，atleast，Isatquietlywaitingtoseewhatwouldhappennext——verymuchsurprisedattheremarkthathadbeenmadetome，andwonderingatUncleBeamish'sprotractedabsence。Suddenlyheenteredtheroomandclosedthedoor。
　　"Here'sago！"saidhe，slappinghisleg，butverygently。
　　"We'remistooktheworstkind。We'remistookfordoctors。"
　　"Thatisonlyhalfamistake，"saidI。"Whatisthematter，andwhatcanIdo？"
　　"Nothin'，"saidhe，quickly，——"thatis，nothin'yourownself。Justtheminuteshegotmeoutsidethatdoorshebeganpitchin'intoyou。`Isupposethat'syoungDr。Glover，'saidshe。Itoldheritwas，andthenshewentontosay，givin'menochancetoexplainnothin'，thatshedidn'twanttohaveanythingtodowithyou；thatshethoughtitwasashametoturnpeople'shousesintopaupers'hospitalsforthepurposeofteachin'medicalstudents；thatshehadheardofyou，andwhatshehadheardshehadn'tliked。Allthistimeshekeptgoin'up-
　　stairs，andIfollerin'her，andthefustthingIknowedsheopenedadoorandwentintoaroom，andIwentinafterher，andthere，inabed，wasapatientofsomekind。Iwastookbackdreadful，forthestateofthecasecametomelikeaflash。
　　Yourunclehadbeensentfor，andIwasmistookforhim。Now，whattosaywasapuzzletome，andIbegantothinkprettyfast。
　　Itwasanawkwardbusinesstohavetoexplainthingstothatsharp-setoldwoman。Thefactis，Ididn'tknowhowtobegin，andwasagooddealafraid，besides，butshedidn'tgivemenotimeforconsiderin'。`Ithinkit'sherbrain，'saidshe，`butperhapsyou'llknowbetter。Catherine，uncoveryourhead！'Andwiththatthepatientturnedoveralittleanduncoveredherhead，whichshehadhadthesheetover。Itwasayoungwoman，andshegavemeagoodlook，butshedidn'tsaynothin'。NowI
　　WASinastateofmind。"
　　"Ofcourseyoumusthavebeen，"Ianswered。"Whydidn'tyoutellherthatyouwerenotadoctor，butthatIwas。Itwouldhavebeeneasyenoughtoexplainmatters。Shemighthavethoughtmyunclecouldnotcomeandhehadsentme，andthatyouhadcomealongforcompany。Thepatientoughttobeattendedtowithoutdelay。"
　　"She'sgottobe-attendedto，"saidUncleBeamish，"orelsetherewillbearowandwe'llhavetotravel——stormornostorm。
　　Butifyouhadheardwhatthatoldwomansaidaboutyoungdoctors，andyouinparticular，youwouldknowthatyouwasn'tgoin'tohaveanythingtodowiththiscase——atleast，youwouldn'tshowinit。ButI'vegotnomoretimefortalkin'。I
　　camedownhereonbusiness。Whentheoldladysaid，`Catherine，holdoutyourhand！'andshehelditout，Ihadnothin'todobutstepupandfeelherpulse。Iknowhowtodothat，forIhavedonealotofnussin'inmylife。Andthenitseemednat'raltoaskhertoputouthertongue，andwhenshediditI
　　gavealookatitandnoddedmyhead。`Doyouthinkitisherbrain？'saidtheoldwoman，halfwhisperin'。`Can'tsayanythingaboutthatyit，'saidI。`Imustgodown-stairsandgetthemedicine-case。Thefustthingtodoistogiveheradraught，andIwillbringituptoherassoonasitismixed。'Youhavegotapocketmedicine-casewithyou，haven'tyou？"
　　"Oh，yes，"saidI。"Itisinmyovercoat。"
　　"Iknowedit，"saidUncleBeamish。"Anolddoctormightgovisitin'withouthismedicine-case，butayoungonewouldbesuretotakeitalong，nomatterwherehewasgoin'。Nowyougetit，please，quick。"
　　"Mynotionis，"saidhe，whenIreturnedfromthekitchenwiththecase，"thatyoumixsomethin'thatmightsootheheralittle，ifshehasgotanythingthematterwithherbrain，andwhichwon'thurtherifshehasn't。Andthen，whenItakeituptoher，youtellmewhatsymptomstolookfor。Icandoit——I
　　havespentnightslookin'forsymptoms。Then，whenIcomedownandreport，youmightsendherupsomethin'thatwouldkeepherfromgettin'anywusstillthedoctorcancomeinthemornin'，forheain'tcomin'hereto-night。"
　　"Averygoodplan，"saidI。"Now，whatcanIgiveher？Whatisthepatient'sage？"
　　"Oh，heragedon'tmattermuch，"saidUncleBeamish，impatiently。"Shemaybetwenty，moreorless，andanymildstuffwilldotobeginwith。"
　　"Iwillgivehersomesweetspiritsofnitre，"saidI，takingoutalittlevial。"Willyouasktheservantforaglassofwaterandateaspoon？"
　　"Now，"saidI，whenIhadquicklypreparedthemixture，"shecanhaveateaspoonfulofthis，andanotherintenminutes，andthenwewillseewhetherwewillgoonwithitornot。"
　　"AndwhatamItolookfor？"saidhe。
　　"Inthefirstplace，"saidI，producingaclinicalthermometer，"youmusttakehertemperature。Youknowhowtodothat？"
　　"Oh，yes，"saidhe。"Ihavedoneithundredsoftimes。Shemustholditinhermouthfiveminutes。"
　　"Yes，andwhileyouarewaiting，"Icontinued，"youmusttrytofindout，inthefirstplace，ifthereare，orhavebeen，anysignsofdelirium。Youmightasktheoldlady，andbesides，youmaybeabletojudgeforyourself。"
　　"Icandothat，"saidhe。"Ihaveseenlotsofit。"
　　"Then，again，"saidI，"youmustobservewhetherornotherpupilsaredilated。Youmightalsoinquirewhethertherehadbeenanypartialparalysisornumbnessinanypartofthebody。
　　Thesethingsmustbelookedforinbraintrouble。Thenyoucancomedown，ostensiblytoprepareanotherprescription，andwhenyouhavereported，IhavenodoubtIcangiveyousomethingwhichwillmodify，orIshouldsay——"
　　"Holdherwheresheistillmornin'，"saidUncleBeamish。"That'swhatyoumean。Bequick。Givemethatthermometerandthetumbler，andwhenIcomedownagain，Ireckonyoucanfitheroutwithaprescriptionjustasgoodasanybody。"
　　Hehurriedaway，andIsatdowntoconsider。Iwasfullofambition，fullofenthusiasmforthepracticeofmyprofession。
　　Iwouldhavebeenwillingtopaylargelyfortheprivilegeofundertakinganimportantcasebymyself，inwhichitwoulddependuponmewhetherornotIshouldcallinaconsultingbrother。Sofar，inthecasesIhadundertaken，aconsultingbrotherhadalwayscalledhimselfin——thatis，Ihadpractisedinhospitalsorwithmyuncle。Perhapsitmightbefoundnecessary，notwithstandingallthathadbeensaidagainstme，thatIshouldgouptotakechargeofthiscase。IwishedIhadnotforgottentoasktheoldmanhowhehadfoundthetongueandpulse。
　　InlessthanaquarterofanhourUncleBeamishreturned。
　　"Well，"saidI，quickly，"whatarethesymptoms？"
　　"I'llgivethemtoyou，"saidhe，takinghisseat。"I'mnotinsuchahurrynow，becauseItoldtheoldwomanIwouldliketowaitalittleandseehowthatfustmedicineacted。Thepatientspoketomethistime。WhenItookthethermometeroutofhermouthshesays，`Youarecomin'upag'in，doctor？'speakin'lowandquickish，asifshewantednobodybutmetohear。"
　　"Buthowaboutthesymptoms？"saidI，impatiently。
　　"Well，"heanswered，"inthefustplacehertemperatureisninety-eightandahalf，andthat'saboutnat'ral，Itakeit。"
　　"Yes，"Isaid，"butyoudidn'ttellmeabouthertongueandpulse。"
　　"Therewasn'tnothin'remarkableaboutthem，"saidhe。
　　"Allofwhichmeans，"Iremarked，"thatthereisnofever。Butthatisnotatallanecessaryaccompanimentofbrainderangements。Howaboutthedilatationofherpupils？"
　　"Thereisn'tnone，"saidUncleBeamish；"theyareruthersquinchedup，ifanything。Andastodelirium，Icouldn'tseenosignsofit，andwhenIaskedtheoldladyaboutthenumbness，shesaidshedidn'tbelievetherehadbeenany。"
　　"Notendencytoshiver，nodispositiontostretch？"
　　"No，"saidtheoldman，"nochanceforquinine。"
　　"Thetroubleis，"saidI，standingbeforethestoveandfixingmyminduponthecasewithearnestintensity，"thattherearesofewsymptomsinbrainderangement。IfIcouldonlygetholdofsomethingtangible——"
　　"IfIwasyou，"interruptedUncleBeamish，"Iwouldn'ttrytogetholdofnothin'。Iwouldjustgivehersomethin'tokeepherwheresheistillmornin'。Ifyoucandothat，I'llguaranteethatanygooddoctorcantakeherupandgoonwithherto-
　　morrow。"
　　Withoutnoticingtheimplicationcontainedintheseremarks，I
　　continuedmyconsiderationofthecase。
　　"IfIcouldgetadropofherblood，"saidI。
　　"No，no！"exclaimedUncleBeamish，"I'mnotgoin'todoanythingofthatsort。Whatinthenameofcommonsensewouldyoudowithherblood？"
　　"Iwouldexamineitmicroscopically，"Isaid。"ImightfindoutallIwanttoknow。"
　　UncleBeamishdidnotsympathizewiththismethodofdiagnosis。
　　"Ifyoudidfindouttherewasthewrongkindofgerms，youcouldn'tdoanythingwiththemto-night，anditwouldjustworryyou，"saidtheoldman。"Ibelievethatnaturewillgetalongfust-ratewithoutanyhelp，atleasttillmornin'。Butyou'vegottogivehersomemedicine——notsomuchforhergoodasforourgood。Ifshe'snottreatedwe'rebounced。Can'tyougivehersomethin'thatwoulddoanybodygood，nomatterwhat'sthematterwith'em？IfitwasthespringoftheyearIwouldsaysarsaparilla。Ifyoucouldmixherupsomethin'andputintoitsomeofthembenevolentmicrobesthedoctorstalkabout，itwouldbeagooddeedtodotoanybody。"
　　"Thebenignbacilli，"saidI。"UnfortunatelyIhaven'tanyofthemwithme。"
　　"Andifyouhad，"heremarked，"I'dbeinfavorofgivin''emtotheoldwoman。Itakeittheywoulddo，hermoregoodthananybodyelse。Comealongnow，doctor；itisabouttimeformetogoup-stairsandseehowtheotherstuffacted——notonthepatient，Idon'tmean，butontheoldwoman。Thefactis，youknow，it'sherwe'redosin'。"
　　"Notatall，"saidI，speakingalittleseverely。"Iamtryingtodomyverybestforthepatient，butIfearIcannotdoitwithoutseeingher。Don'tyouthinkthatifyoutoldtheoldladyhowabsolutelynecessary——"
　　"Don'tsayanythingmoreaboutthat！"exclaimedUncleBeamish。
　　"IhopedIwouldn'thavetomentionit，butshetoldmeag'inthatshewouldneverhaveoneofthoseunfledgedmedicalstudents，justoutoftheegg-shell，experimentin'onanyofherfamily，andfromwhatshesaidaboutyouinparticular，Ishouldsaysheconsideredyouasamedicalchickwithoutevendownonyou。"
　　"Whatcansheknowofme？"Iaskedindignantly。
　　"Giveitup，"saidhe。"Can'tguessit。Butthatain'tthep'int。Thep'intis，whatareyougoin'togiveher？WhenIwasyoungthedoctorsusedtosay，Whenyouareindoubt，givecalomel——asifyouwereplayin'trumps。"
　　"Nonsense，nonsense，"saidI，myeyesearnestlyfixeduponmyopenmedicalcase。
　　"Isupposeamustard-plasteronthebackofherneck——"
　　"Wouldn'tdoatall，"Iinterrupted。"Waitaminute，now——
　　yes——IknowwhatIwilldo：Iwillgivehersodiumbromide——tengrains。"
　　"`Whichwillhitifit'sadeerandmissifit'sacalf'asthehuntersaid？"inquiredUncleBeamish。
　　"Itwillcertainlynotinjureher，"saidI，"andIamquitesureitwillbeapositiveadvantage。Iftherehasbeencerebraldisturbance，whichhassubsidedtemporarily，itwillassisthertotideovertheinterimbeforeitsrecurrence。"
　　"Allright，"saidUncleBeamish，"giveittome，andI'llbeoff。It'stimeIshowedupag'in。"
　　Hedidnotstayup-stairsverylongthistime。
　　"Nosymptomsyit，butthepatientlookedatmeasifshewantedtosaysomethin'；butshedidn'tgitnochance，fortheoldladysetherselfdownasifshewasplantedinagarden-bedandintendedtostaythere。Butthepatienttookthemedicineasmildasalamb。"
　　"Thatisverygood，"saidI。"Itmaybethatsheappreciatestheseriousnessofherewebetterthanwedo。"
　　"Ishouldsayshewantstogitwell，"hereplied。"Shelookslikethatsortofapersontome。Theoldwomansaidshethoughtwewouldhavetostayawhiletillthestormslackened，andI
　　said，yes，indeed，andtherewasn'tanychanceofitsslackenin'
　　to-night；besides，Iwantedtoseethepatientbeforebedtime。"
　　Atthismomentthedooropenedandtheservant-womancamein。
　　"Shesaysyouaretohavesupper，anditwillbereadyinabouthalfanhour。Oneofyouhadbettergooutandattendtoyourhorse，forthemanisnotcomingbackto-night。"
　　"Iwillgotothebarn，"saidI，rising。UncleBeamishalsoroseandsaidhewouldgowithme。
　　"Iguessyoucanfindsomehayandoats，"saidthewoman，aswewereputtingonourcoatsandovershoesinthekitchen，"andhere'salantern。Wedon'tkeepnohorsenow，butthere'sfeedleft。"
　　Aswepushedthroughthedeepsnowintothebarn，UncleBeamishsaid：
　　"I'vebeentryin'mybesttothinkwherewearewithoutaskin'anyquestions，andI'mdeadbeat。Idon'tremembernosuchhouseasthisontheroad。"
　　"Perhapswegotofftheroad，"saidI。
　　"Thatmaybe，"saidhe，asweenteredthebarn。"It'sastraightroadfromWarburtontothepikenearmysister'shouse，butthere'stwootherroadsthatbranchofftotherightandstrikethepikefurtherofftotheeast。Perhapswegotononeoftheminallthatdarknessandperplexin'whiteness，whenitwasn'teasytoseewhetherwewerekeepin'astraightroadornot。"
　　Thehorseneighedasweapproachedwithalight。
　　"Iwouldnotbeatallsurprised，"saidI，"ifthishorsehadoncebelongedhereandthatwasthereasonwhy，assoonashegotachance，heturnedandmadestraightforhisoldhome。"
　　"Thatisn'tunlikely，"saidUncleBeamish，"andthat'sthereasonwedidnotpassCrocker's。Buthereweare，whereveritis，andherewe'vegottostaytillmornin'。"
　　Wefoundhayandoatsandapumpinthecornerofthewagon-
　　house，andhavingputthehorseinthestallandmadehimascomfortableaspossiblewithsomeoldblankets，wereturnedtothehouse，bringingourvaliseswithus。
　　Oursupperwasservedinthesitting-roombecausetherewasagoodfirethere，andtheservanttolduswewouldhavetoeatbyourselves，as"she"wasnotcomingdown。
　　"We'llexcuseher，"saidUncleBeamish，withanalacrityofexpressionthatmighthavecausedsuspicion。
　　Wehadagoodsupper，andwerethenshownaroomonthefirstfloorontheothersideofthehall，wheretheservantsaidweweretosleep。
　　Wesatbythestoveawhile，waitingfordevelopments，butasUncleBeamish'sbedtimewasrapidlyapproaching，hesentwordtothesick-chamberthathewascomingupforhisfinalvisit。
　　Thistimehestayedup-stairsbutafewminutes。
　　"She'sfastasleep，"saidhe，"andtheoldwomansaysshe'llcallmeifI'mneededinthenight，andyou'llhavetojumpupsharpandoverhaulthatmedicine-caseifthathappens。"
　　Thenextmorning，andveryearlyinthemorning，IwasawakedbyUncleBeamish，whostoodatmyside。
　　"Lookhere，"saidhe，"I'vebeenoutside。It'sstoppedsnowin'
　　andit'sclearin'off。I'vebeentothebarnandI'vefedthehorse，andItellyouwhatI'minfavorofdoin'。There'snobodyupyit，andIdon'twanttostayhereandmakenoexplanationstothatoldwoman。Idon'tfancygittin'intorowsonChristmasmornin'。We'vedoneallthegoodwecanhere，andthebestthingwecandonowistogitawaybeforeanybodyisup，andleaveanotesayin'thatwe'vegottogoonwithoutlosin'time，andthatwewillsendanotherdoctorassoonaspossible。Mysister'sdoctordon'tlivefurawayfromher，andIknowshewillbewillin'tosendforhim。Thenourdutywillbedone，andwhattheoldwomanthinksofuswon'tmakeno，differencetonobody。"
　　"Thatplansuitsme，"saidI，rising。"Idon'twanttostayhere，andasIamnottobeallowedtoseethepatient，thereisnoreasonwhyIshouldstay。Whatwehavedonewillmorethanpayforoursupperandlodgings，sothatourconsciencesareclear。"
　　"Butyoumustwriteanote，"saidUncleBeamish。"Gotanypaper？"
　　Itorealeaffrommynote-book，andwenttothewindow，whereitwasbarelylightenoughformetoseehowtowrite。
　　"Makeitshort，"saidtheoldman。"I'mawfulfidgetytogitoff。"
　　Imadeitveryshort，andthen，valisesinhand，wequietlytookourwaytothekitchen。
　　"Howthisfloordoescreak！"saidUncleBeamish。"Gitonyourovercoatandshoesasquickasyoucan，andwe'llleavethenoteonthistable。"
　　IhadjustshakenmyselfintomyovercoatwhenUncleBeamishgaveasubduedexclamation，andquicklyturning，Isawenteringthekitchenafemalefigureinwinterwrapsandcarryingahand-bag。
　　"ByGeorge！"whisperedtheoldman，"it'sthepatient！"
　　Thefigureadvanceddirectlytowardme。
　　"Oh，Dr。Glover！"shewhispered，"Iamsogladtogetdownbeforeyouwentaway！"
　　Istaredinamazementatthespeaker，buteveninthedimlightI
　　recognizedher。ThiswasthehumanbeingwhoseexpectedpresenceattheCollingwoodmansionwastakingmetheretospendChristmas。
　　"Kitty！"Iexclaimed——"MissBurroughs，Imean，——whatisthemeaningofthis？"
　　"Don'taskmeforanymeaningsnow，"shesaid。"IwantyouandyouruncletotakemetotheCollingwoods'。Isupposeyouareonyourwaythere，fortheywroteyouwerecoming。Andoh！
　　letusbequick，forI'mafraidJanewillcomedown，andshewillbesuretowakeupaunty。Isawoneofyougoouttothebarn，andknewyouintendedtoleave，soIgotreadyjustasfastasI
　　could。ButImustleavesomewordforaunty。"
　　"Ihavewrittenanote，"saidI。"Butareyouwellenoughtotravel？"
　　"Justletmeaddalinetoit，"saidshe。"IamaswellasI
　　everwas。"
　　Igaveherapencil，andshehurriedlywrotesomethingonthepaperwhichIhadleftonthekitchentable。Then，quicklyglancingaround，shepickedupalargecarving-fork，andstickingitthroughthepaperintothesoftwoodofthetable，sheleftitstandingthere。
　　"Nowitwon'tblowawaywhenweopenthedoor，"shewhispered。"Comeon。"
　　"Youcannotgoouttothebarn，"Isaid；"wewillbringupthesleigh。"
　　"Oh，no，no，no，"sheanswered，"Imustnotwaithere。IfI
　　oncegetoutofthehouseIshallfeelsafe。OfcourseIshallgoanyway，butIdon'twantanyquarrellingonthisChristmasmorning。"
　　"I'mwithyouthere，"saidUncleBeamish，approvingly。"Doctor，wecantakehertothebarnwithouthertouchingthesnow。Lethersitinthisarm-chair，andwecancarryherbetweenus。
　　She'snoweight。"
　　Inhalfaminutethekitchendoorwassoftlyclosedbehindus，andwewerecarryingMissBurroughstothebarn。Mysoulwasinawildtumult。Dozensofquestionswereonmytongue，butI
　　hadnochancetoaskanyofthem。
　　UncleBeamishandIreturnedtotheporchforthevalises，andthen，closingthebackdoor，werapidlybegantomakepreparationsforleaving。
　　"Isuppose，"saidUncleBeamish，aswewentintothestable，leavingMissBurroughsinthewagon-house，"thatthisbusinessisallright？Youseemtoknowtheyoungwoman，andsheisofagetoactforherself。"
　　"Whatevershewantstodo，"Ianswered，"isperfectlyright。
　　Youmaytrusttothat。Idonotunderstandthematteranymorethanyoudo，butIknowsheisexpectedattheCollingwoods'，andwantstogothere。"
　　"Verygood，"saidUncleBeamish。"We'llgitawayfustandaskexplanationsafterwards。"
　　"Dr。Glover，"saidMissBurroughs，asweledthehorseintothewagon-house，"don'tputthebellsonhim。Stuffthemgentlyundertheseat——assoftlyasyoucan。Buthowarewealltogoaway？Ihavebeenlookingatthatsleigh，anditisintendedonlyfortwo。"
　　"It'sratherlatetothinkofthat，miss，"saidUncleBeamish，"butthere'sonethingthat'scertain。We'rebothverypolitetoladies，butneitherofusiswillin'tobeleftbehindonthistrip。Butit'sagood-sizedsleigh，andwe'llallpackin，wellenough。Youandmecansitontheseat，andthedoctorcanstandupinfrontofusanddrive。Inoldtimesitwasconsideredtherightthingforthedriverofthesleightostandupanddohisdrivin'。"
　　Thebaggagewascarefullystowedaway，and，afteralookaroundthedimlylightedwagon-house，MissBurroughsandUncleBeamishgotintothesleigh，andItuckedthebigfurrobearoundthem。
　　"Ihatetomakeajourneybeforebreakfast，"saidUncleBeamish，asIwasdoingthis，"especiallyonChristmasmornin'，butsomehoworotherthereseemstobesomethin'jollyaboutthisbusiness，andwewon'thavetowaitsolongforbreakfast，nuther。Itcan'tbefarfrommysister's，andwe'llallstopthereandhavebreakfast。Thenyoutwocanleavemeandgoon。
　　She'llbeasgladtoseeanyfriendsofmineasiftheywereherown。Andshe'llbeprettysure，onamornin'likethis，tohavebuckwheatcakesandsausages。"
　　MissBurroughslookedattheoldmanwithapuzzledair，butsheaskedhimnoquestions。
　　"Howareyougoingtokeepyourselfwarm，Dr。Glover？"shesaid。
　　"Oh，thislongulsterwillbeenoughforme，"Ireplied，"andasIshallstandup，Icouldnotusearobe，ifwehadanother。"
　　Infact，thethoughtofbeingwithMissBurroughsandtheanticipationofasleigh-ridealonewithherafterwehadleftUncleBeamishwithhissister，hadputmeintosuchaglowthatIscarcelyknewitwascoldweather。
　　"You'dbetterbekeerful，doctor，"saidUncleBeamish。"Youdon'twanttogitrheumatisminyourj'intsonthisChristmasmornin'。Here'sthishorse-blanketthatwearesettin'on。Wedon'tneedit，andyou'dbetterwrapitroundyou，afteryougitin，tokeepyourlegswarm。"
　　"Oh，do！"saidMissBurroughs。"Itmaylookfunny，butwewillnotmeetanybodysoearlyasthis。"
　　"Allright！"saidI，"andnowwearereadytostart。"
　　Islidbackthebarndoorandthenledthehorseoutside。
　　Closingthedoor，andmakingaslittlenoiseaspossibleindoingit，Igotintothesleigh，findingplentyofroomtostandupinfrontofmycompanions。NowIwrappedthehorse-blanketaboutthelowerpartofmybody，andasIhadnobeltwithwhichtosecureit，MissBurroughskindlyofferedtofastenitroundmywaistbymeansofalongpinwhichshetookfromherhat。Itisimpossibletodescribetheexhilarationthatpervadedmeassheperformedthiskindlyoffice。Afterthankingherwarmly，Itookthereinsandwestarted。
　　"Itissolucky，"whisperedMissBurroughs，"thatIhappenedtothinkaboutthebells。Wedon'tmakeanynoiseatall。"
　　Thiswastrue。Theslowlyupliftedhoofsofthehorsedescendedquietlyintothesoftsnow，andthesleigh-runnersslippedalongwithoutasound。
　　"Drivestraightforthegate，doctor，"whisperedUncleBeamish。"Itdon'tmatternothin'aboutgoin'overflower-bedsandgrass-platsinsuchweather。"
　　Ifollowedhisadvice，fornoroadwaycouldbeseen。Butwehadgonebutashortdistancewhenthehorsesuddenlystopped。
　　"What'sthematter？"askedMissBurroughs，inalowvoice。
　　"Isittoodeepforhim？"
　　"We'reinadrift，"saidUncleBeamish。"Butit'snottoodeep。Makehimgoahead，doctor。"
　　Iclickedgentlyandtappedthehorsewiththewhip，buthedidnotmove。
　　"Whatadreadfulthing，"whisperedMissBurroughs，leaningforward，"forhimtostopsonearthehouse！Dr。Glover，whatdoesthismean？"And，asshespoke，shehalfrosebehindme。
　　"WheredidSirRohancomefrom？"
　　"Who'she？"askedUncleBeamish，quickly。
　　"Thathorse，"sheanswered。"That'smyaunt'shorse。Shesoldhimafewdaysago。"
　　"ByGeorge！"ejaculatedUncleBeamish，unconsciouslyraisinghisvoicealittle。"Wilsonboughthim，andhisbringin'ushereisasplainasABC。Andnowhedon'twanttoleavehome。"
　　"Buthehasgottodoit，"saidI，jerkingthehorse'sheadtoonesideandgivinghimacutwiththewhip。
　　"Don'twhiphim，"whisperedMissBurroughs；"italwaysmakeshimmorestubborn。HowgladIamIthoughtofthebells！Theonlywaytogethimtogoistomollifyhim。"
　　"Buthowisthattobedone？"Iaskedanxiously。
　　"Youmustgivehimsugarandpathisneck。IfIhadsomesugarandcouldgetout——"
　　"Butyouhaven'tit，andyoucan'tgitout，"saidUncleBeamish。"Tryhimagaindoctor！"
　　Ijerkedthereinsimpatiently。"Goalong！"saidI。Buthedidnotgoalong。
　　"Haven'tyougotsomethin'inyourmedicine-caseyoucouldmollifyhimwith？"saidUncleBeamish。"Somethin'sweetthathemightlike？"
　　ForaninstantIcaughtatthisabsurdsuggestion，andmymindranoverthecontentsofmylittlebottles。IfIhadknownhischaracter，somesodiumbromideinhismorningfeedmight，bythistime，havemollifiedhisobstinacy。
　　"IfIcouldbefreeofthisblanket，"saidI，fumblingatthepinbehindme，"Iwouldgetoutandleadhimintotheroad。"
　　"Youcouldnotdoit，"saidMissBurroughs。"Youmightpullhisheadoff，buthewouldn'tmove。Ihaveseenhimtried。"
　　Atthismomentawindow-sashinthesecondstoryofthehousewasraised，andthere，notthirtyfeetfromus，stoodanelderlyfemale，wrappedinagrayshawl，withpiercingeyesshiningthroughgreatspectacles。
　　"Youseemtobestuck，"saidshe，sarcastically。"Youareworsestuckthantheforkwasinmykitchentable。"
　　Wemadenoanswer。IdonotknowhowMissBurroughslookedorfelt，orwhatwastheappearanceofUncleBeamish，butIknowImusthavebeenveryredintheface。Igavethehorseapowerfulcrackandshoutedtohimtogoon。Therewasnoneedforlowspeakingnow。
　　"Youneedn'tbecrueltodumbanimals，"saidtheoldlady，"andyoucan'tbudgehim。Heneverdidlikesnow，especiallyingoingawayfromhome。Youcutapowerfulqueerfigure，youngman，withthathorse-blanketaroundyou。Youdon'tlookmuchlikeapractisingphysician。"
　　"MissBurroughs，"Iexclaimed，"pleasetakethatpinoutofthisblanket。IfIcangetathisheadIknowIcanpullhimaroundandmakehimgo。"
　　Butshedidnotseemtohearme。"Aunty，"shecried，"it'sashametostandthereandmakefunofus。Wehavegotaperfectrighttogoawayifwewantto，andweoughtnottobelaughedat。"
　　Theoldladypaidnoattentiontothisremark。
　　"Andthere'sthatfalsedoctor，"shesaid。"Iwonderhowhefeelsjustnow。"
　　"Falsedoctor！"exclaimedMissBurroughs。"Idon'tunderstand。"
　　"Younglady，"saidUncleBeamish，"I'mnofalsedoctor。I
　　intendedtotellyouallaboutitassoonasIgotachance，butIhaven'thadone。And，oldlady，I'dlikeyoutoknowthatI
　　don'tsayI'madoctor，butIdosayI'manuss，andagoodnuss，andyoucan'tdenyit。"
　　Tothischallengethefigureatthewindowmadenoanswer。
　　"Catherine，"saidshe，"Ican'tstandhereandtakecold，butIjustwanttoknowonething：Haveyoupositivelymadeupyourmindtomarrythatyoungdoctorinthehorse-blanket？"
　　Thisquestionfelllikeabomb-shellintothemiddleofthestationarysleigh。
　　IhadneveraskedKittytomarryme。Ilovedherwithallmyheartandsoul，andIhoped，almostbelieved，thatshelovedme。
　　Ithadbeenmyintention，whenweshouldbelefttogetherinthesleighthismorning，afterdroppingUncleBeamishathissister'shouse，toaskhertomarryme。
　　Theoldwoman'squestionpiercedmeasifithadbeenaflashoflightningcomingthroughthefrostyairofawintermorning。
　　Idroppedtheuselessreinsandturned。Kitty'sfacewasablaze。
　　Shemadeamovementasifshewasabouttojumpoutofthesleighandflee。
　　"Oh，Kitty！"saidI，bendingdowntowardher，"tellheryes！
　　IbegIentreat，Iimploreyoutotellheryes！Oh，Kitty！ifyoudon'tsayyesIshallneverknowanotherhappyday。"
　　ForonemomentKittylookedupintomyface，andthensaidshe：
　　"Itismypositiveintentiontomarryhim！"
　　Withtheagilityofayouth，UncleBeamishthrewtherobefromhimandsprangoutintothedeepsnow。Then，turningtowardus，hetookoffhishat。
　　"ByGeorge！"saidhe，"you'reapairoftrumps。Ineverdidseeanyhumanbein'sstepuptothemarkmoreprompt。Madam，"hecried，addressingtheoldlady，"yououghttobetheproudestwomaninthiscountyatseein'suchathingasthishappenunderyourwindowofaChristmasmornin'。Andnowthebestthingthatyoucandoistoinviteusallintohavebreakfast。"
　　"You'llhavetocomein，"saidshe，"orelsestayoutthereandfreezetodeath，forthathorseisn'tgoingtotakeyouaway。
　　Andifmyniecereallyintendstomarrytheyoungman，andhasgonesofarastostarttorunawaywithhim，——andwithafalsedoctor，——ofcourseI'vegotnomoretosayaboutit，andyoucancomeinandhavebreakfast。"Andwiththatsheshutdownthewindow。
　　"That'stalkin'，"saidUncleBeamish。"Sitstill，doctor，andI'llleadhimaroundtothebackdoor。Iguesshe'llmovequickenoughwhenyouwanthimtoturnback。"
　　WithouttheslightestobjectionSirRohanpermittedhimselftobeturnedbackandleduptothekitchenporch。
　　"Nowyoutwosparklin'angelsgetout，"saidUncleBeamish，"andgoin。I'llattendtothehorse。"
　　Jane，withabroadgrinonherface，openedthekitchendoor。
　　"MerryChristmastoyouboth！"saidshe。
　　"MerryChristmas！"wecried，andeachofusshookherbythehand。
　　"Gointhesitting-roomandgetwarm，"saidJane。"She'llbedownprettysoon。"
　　Idonotknowhowlongweweretogetherinthatsitting-room。Wehadthousandsofthingstosay，andwesaidmostofthem。
　　Amongotherthings，wemanagedtogetinsomeexplanationsoftheoccurrencesofthepreviousnight。Kittytoldhertalebriefly。
　　Sheandheraunt，towhomshewasmakingavisit，andwhowantedhertomakeherhouseherhome，hadhadaquarreltwodaysbefore。KittywaswildtogototheCollingwoods'，andtheoldlady，who，forsomereason，hatedthefamily，wasdeterminedsheshouldnotgo。ButKittywasimmovable，andnevergaveupuntilshefoundthatheraunthadgonesofarastodisposeofherhorse，thusmakingitimpossibletotravelinsuchweather，therebeingnopublicconveyancespassingthehouse。Kittywasanorphan，andhadaguardianwhowouldhavecometoheraid，butshecouldnotwritetohimintime，and，inutterdespair，shewenttobed。Shewouldnoteatordrink，shewouldnotspeak，andshecoveredupherhead。
　　"Afteradayandanight，"saidKitty，"auntygotdreadfullyfrightenedandthoughtsomethingwasthematterwithmybrain。
　　Herfamilyareawfullyanxiousabouttheirbrains。IknewshehadsentforthedoctorandIwasgladofit，forIthoughthewouldhelpme。ImustsayIwassurprisedwhenIfirstsawthatMr。Beamish，forIthoughthewasDr。Morris。Nowtellmeaboutyourcominghere。"
　　"Andso，"shesaid，whenIhadfinished，"youhadnoideathatyouwereprescribingforme！PleasedotellmewhatwerethosemedicinesyousentuptomeandwhichItooklikeatrulygoodgirl。"
　　"Ididn'tknowitatthetime，"saidI，"butIsentyousixtydropsofthedeepest，strongestloveinaglassofwater，andtengrainsofperfectadoration。"
　　"Nonsense！"saidKitty，withablush，andatthatmomentUncleBeamishknockedatthedoor。
　　"IthoughtI'djuststepinandtellyou，"saidhe，"thatbreakfastwillbecomin'alonginaminute。Ifoundtheyweregoin'tohavebuckwheatcakes，anyway，andIprevailedonJanetoputsausagesinthebilloffare。MerryChristmastoyouboth！
　　Iwouldliketosaymore，butherecomestheoldladyandJane。"
　　Thebreakfastwasastrangemeal，butaveryhappyone。Theoldladywasverydignified。ShemadenoallusiontoChristmasortowhathadhappened，buttalkedtoUncleBeamishaboutpeopleinWarburton。
　　Ihaveapracticalmind，and，inspiteofthepresentjoy，I
　　couldnothelpfeelingalittleanxietyaboutwhatwastobedonewhenbreakfastwasover。Butjustaswewereabouttorisefromthetablewewereallstartledbyagreatjingleofsleigh-bellsoutside。Theoldladyaroseandstoppedtothewindow。
　　"There！"saidshe，turningtowardus。"Here'saprettykettleoffish！There'satwo-horsesleighoutside，withamandriving，andagentlemaninthebackseatwhoIamsureisDr。
　　Morris，andhehascomeallthewayonthisbittercoldmorningtoseethepatientIsentforhimtocometo。Now，whoisgoingtotellhimhehascomeonafool'serrand？"
　　"Fool'serrand！"Icried。"EveryoneofyouwaitinhereandI'llgooutandtellhim。"
　　WhenIdashedoutofdoorsandstoodbythesideofmyuncle'ssleigh，hewastrulyanamazedman。
　　"Iwillgetin，uncle，"saidI，"andifyouwillletJohndrivethehorsesslowlyaroundtheyard，IwilltellyouhowI
　　happentobehere。"
　　ThestorywasamuchlongeronethanIexpectedittobe，andJohnmusthavedriventhosehorsesbackwardandforwardforhalfanhour。
　　"Well，"saidmyuncle，atlast，"IneversawyourKitty，butIknewherfatherandhermother，andIwillgoinandtakealookather。IfIlikeher，IwilltakeyouallontotheCollingwoods'，anddropUncleBeamishathissister'shouse。"
　　"I'lltellyouwhatitis，youngdoctor，"saidUncleBeamish，atparting，"yououghttobuythatbigroanhorse。HehasbeenaregularguardianangeltousthisChristmas。"
　　"Oh，thatwouldneverdoatall，"criedKitty。"Hispatientswouldalldiebeforehegotthere。"
　　"Thatis，iftheyhadanythingthematterwiththem，"addedmyuncle。
　　APIECEOFREDCALICO
　　Beforebeginningtherelationofthefollowingincidents，IwishtostatethatIamayoungmarriedman，doingbusinessinalargecity，inthesuburbsofwhichIlive。
　　Iwasgoingintotowntheothermorning，whenmywifehandedmealittlepieceofredcalico，andaskedmeifIwouldhavetime，duringtheday，tobuyhertwoyardsandahalfofcalicolikeit。Iassuredherthatitwouldbenotroubleatall，andputtingthepieceofcalicoinmypocket，Itookthetrainforthecity。
　　Atlunch-timeIstoppedinatalargedry-goodsstoretoattendtomywife'scommission。Isawawell-dressedmanwalkingthefloorbetweenthecounters，wherelonglinesofgirlswerewaitingonmuchlongerlinesofcustomers，andaskedhimwhereI
　　couldseesomeredcalico。
　　"Thisway，sir，"andheledmeupthestore。"MissStone，"
　　saidhetoayounglady，"showthisgentlemansomeredcalico。"
　　"Whatshadedoyouwant！"askedMissStone。
　　Ishowedherthelittlepieceofcalicothatmywifehadgivenme。Shelookedatitandhandeditbacktome。Thenshetookdownagreatrollofredcalicoandspreaditoutonthecounter。
　　"Why，thatisn'ttheshade！"saidI。
　　"No，notexactly，"saidshe。"Butitisprettierthanyoursample。"
　　"Thatmaybe，"saidI。"But，yousee，Iwanttomatchthispiece。Thereissomethingalreadyinmyhouse，madeofthiskindofcalico，whichneedstobemadelarger，ormended，orsomething。Iwantsomecalicoofthesameshade。"
　　Thegirlmadenoanswer，buttookdownanotherroll。
　　"That'stheshade，"saidshe。
　　"Yes，"Ireplied，"butit'sstriped。"
　　"Stripesaremorewornthananythingelseincalicoes，"saidshe。
　　"Yes。Butthisisn'ttobeworn。It'sforfurniture，I
　　think。Atanyrate，Iwantperfectlyplainstuff，tomatchsomethingalreadyinuse。"
　　"Well，Idon'tthinkyoucanfinditperfectlyplain，unlessyougetTurkeyred。"
　　"WhatisTurkeyred？"Iasked。
　　"Turkeyredisperfectlyplainincalicoes，"sheanswered。
　　"Well，letmeseesome。"
　　"Wehaven'tanyTurkeyredcalicoleft，"shesaid，"butwehavesomeveryniceplaincalicoesinothercolors。"
　　"Idon'twantanyothercolor。Iwantstufftomatchthis。"
　　"It'shardtomatchcheapcalicolikethat，"shesaid，andsoIlefther。
　　InextwentintoastoreafewdoorsfartherupBroadway。WhenI
　　enteredIapproachedthe"floorwalker，"andhandinghimmysample，said：
　　"Haveyouanycalicolikethis？"
　　"Yes，sir，"saidhe。"Thirdcountertotheright。"Iwenttothethirdcountertotheright，andshowedmysampletothesalesmaninattendancethere。Helookedatitonbothsides。
　　Thenhesaid：
　　"Wehaven'tanyofthis。"
　　"Thefloorwalkersaidyouhad，"saidI。
　　"Wehadit，butwe'reoutofitnow。You'llgetthatgoodsatanupholsterers。"
　　Iwentacrossthestreettoanupholsterer's。
　　"Haveyouanystufflikethis？"Iasked。
　　"No，"saidthesalesman，"wehaven't。Isitforfurniture？"
　　"Yes，"Ireplied。
　　"ThenTurkeyrediswhatyouwant。"
　　"IsTurkeyredjustlikethis？"Iasked。
　　"No，"saidhe，"butit'smuchbetter。"
　　"Thatmakesnodifferencetome，"Ireplied。"Iwantsomethingjustlikethis。"
　　"Buttheydon'tusethatforfurniture，"hesaid。
　　"Ishouldthinkpeoplecoulduseanythingtheywantedforfurniture，"Iremarked，somewhatsharply。
　　"Theycan，buttheydon't，"hesaidquitecalmly。"Theydon'tuseredlikethat。TheyuseTurkeyred。"
　　Isaidnomore，butleft。ThenextplaceIvisitedwasaverylargedry-goodsstore。OfthefirstsalesmanIsawI
　　inquirediftheykeptredcalicolikemysample。
　　"You'llfindthatonthesecondstory，"saidhe。
　　Iwentup-stairs。ThereIaskedaman：
　　"WhereshallIfindredcalico？"
　　"Inthefarroomtotheleft，"andhepointedtoadistantcorner。
　　Iwalkedthroughthecrowdsofpurchasersandsalespeople，aroundthecountersandtablesfilledwithgoods，tothefarroomtotheleft。WhenIgotthereIaskedforredcalico。
　　"Thesecondcounterdownthisside，"saidtheman。Iwentthereandproducedmysample。"Calicoesdown-stairs，"saidtheman。
　　"Theytoldmetheywereuphere，"Isaid。
　　"Nottheseplaingoods。You'llfindthemdownstairsatthebackofthestore，overonthatside。"
　　Iwentdown-stairstothebackofthestore。
　　"WherecanIfindredcalicolikethis？"Iasked。
　　"Nextcounterbutone，"saidthemanaddressed，walkingwithmeinthedirectionpointedout。"Dunn，showredcalicoes。"
　　Mr。Dunntookmysampleandlookedatit。"Wehaven'tthisshadeinthatqualityofgoods，"hesaid。
　　"Well，haveyouitinanyqualityofgoods？"Iasked。
　　"Yes。We'vegotitfiner。"Hetookdownapieceofcalico，andunrolledayardortwoofit。
　　"That'snotthisshade，"Isaid。
　　"No，"saidhe。"Thegoodsisfinerandthecolor'sbetter。"
　　"Iwantittomatchthis，"Isaid。
　　"Ithoughtyouweren'tparticularaboutthematch，"saidthesalesman。"Yousaidyoudidn'tcareforthequalityofthegoods，andyouknowyoucan'tmatchwithoutyoutakeintoconsiderationqualityandcolorboth。Ifyouwantthatqualityofgoodsinred，yououghttogetTurkeyred。"
　　Ididnotthinkitnecessarytoanswerthisremark，butsaid：
　　"Thenyou'vegotnothingtomatchthis？"
　　"No，sir。Butperhapstheymayhaveitintheupholsterydepartment，inthesixthstory。"
　　Igotintotheelevatorandwentuptothetopofthehouse。
　　"Haveyouanyredstufflikethis？"Isaidtoayoungman。
　　"Redstuff？Upholsterydepartment——otherendofthisfloor。"
　　Iwenttotheotherendofthefloor。
　　"Iwantsomeredcalico，"Isaidtoaman。
　　"Furnituregoods？"heasked。
　　"Yes，"saidI。
　　"Fourthcountertotheleft。"
　　Iwenttothefourthcountertotheleft，andshowedmysampletoasalesman。Helookedatit，andsaid："You'llgetthisdownonthefirstfloor——calicodepartment。"
　　Iturnedonmyheel，descendedintheelevator，andwentoutonBroadway。Iwasthoroughlysickofredcalico。ButI
　　determinedtomakeonemoretrial。Mywifehadboughtherredcaliconotlongbefore，andtheremustbesometobehadsomewhere。Ioughttohaveaskedherwheresheboughtit，butI
　　thoughtasimplelittlethinglikethatcouldbeprocuredanywhere。
　　Iwentintoanotherlargedry-goodsstore。AsIenteredthedoorasuddentremorseizedme。Icouldnotbeartotakeoutthatpieceofredcalico。IfIhadhadanyotherkindofaragaboutme——apen-wiperoranythingofthesort——IthinkI
　　wouldhaveaskedthemiftheycouldmatchthat。
　　ButIsteppeduptoayoungwomanandpresentedmysample，withtheusualquestion。
　　"Backroom，counterontheleft，"shesaid。
　　Iwentthere。
　　"Haveyouanyredcalicolikethis？"Iaskedoftheladybehindthecounter。
　　"No，sir，"shesaid，"butwehaveitinTurkeyred。"
　　Turkeyredagain！Isurrendered。
　　"Allright，"Isaid。"GivemeTurkeyred。"
　　"Howmuch，sir？"sheasked。
　　"Idon'tknow——sayfiveyards。"
　　Theladylookedatmeratherstrangely，butmeasuredofffiveyardsofTurkeyredcalico。Thensherappedonthecounterandcalledout，"Cash！"Alittlegirl，withyellowhairintwolongplaits，cameslowlyup。Theladywrotethenumberofyards；thenameofthegoods；herownnumber；theprice；theamountofthebank-noteIhandedher；andsomeothermatters——probablythecolorofmyeyesandthedirectionandvelocityofthewind——onaslipofpaper。Shethencopiedallthisinalittlebookwhichshekeptbyher。Thenshehandedtheslipofpaper，themoney，andtheTurkeyredtotheyellow-hairedgirl。Thisyounggirlcopiedtheslipinalittlebookshecarried，andthenshewentawaywiththecalico，thepaperslip，andthemoney。
　　Afteraverylongtime——duringwhichthelittlegirlprobablytookthegoods，themoney，andthesliptosomecentraldesk，wherethenotewasreceived，itsamountandnumberenteredinabook；changegiventothegirl；acopyoftheslipmadeandentered；girl'sentryexaminedandapproved；goodswrappedup；
　　girlregistered；plaitscountedandenteredonaslipofpaperandcopiedbythegirlinherbook；girltakentoahydrantandwashed；numberoftowelenteredonapaperslipandcopiedbythegirlinherbook；valueofmynoteandamountofchangebrandedsomewhereonthechild，andsaidprocessnotedonaslipofpaperandcopiedinherbook——thegirlcametome，bringingmychangeandthepackageofTurkeyredcalico。
　　Ihadtimeforbutverylittleworkattheofficethatafternoon，andwhenIreachedhomeIhandedthepackageofcalicotomywife。Sheunrolleditandexclaimed：
　　"Why，thisdoesn'tmatchthepieceIgaveyou！"
　　"Matchit！"Icried。"Ohno！itdoesn'tmatchit。Youdidn'twantthatmatched。Youweremistaken。WhatyouwantedwasTurkeyred——thirdcountertotheleft。Imean，Turkeyrediswhattheyuse！"
　　Mywifelookedatmeinamazement，andthenIdetailedtohermytroubles。
　　"Well，"saidshe，"thisTurkeyredisagreatdealprettierthanwhatIhad，andyou'veboughtsomuchofitthatIneedn'tusetheotheratall。IwishIhadthoughtofTurkeyredbefore。"
　　"Iwishfrommyheartyouhad！"saidI。
　　THECHRISTMASWRECK
　　"Well，sir，"saidoldSilas，ashegaveapreliminarypufftothepipehehadjustlighted，andsosatisfiedhimselfthatthedraughtwasallright，"thewind'sa-comin'，an'so'sChristmas。
　　Butit'snousebein'inahurryfureitherof'em，fursometimestheycomeaforeyouwant'em，anyway。"
　　Silaswassittinginthesternofasmallsailing-boatwhichheowned，andinwhichhesometimestooktheSandportvisitorsoutforasail，andatothertimesappliedtoitsmorelegitimatebutlessprofitableuse，thatoffishing。ThatafternoonhehadtakenyoungMr。NugentforabriefexcursiononthatportionoftheAtlanticOceanwhichsendsitsbreakersuponthebeachofSandport。Buthehadfounditdifficult，nay，impossible，justnow，tobringhimback，forthewindhadgraduallydiedawayuntiltherewasnotabreathofitleft。Mr。Nugent，towhomnauticalexperienceswereasnewastheverynauticalsuitofblueflannelwhichhewore，ratherlikedthecalm。Itwassucharelieftothemonotonyofrollingwaves。Hetookoutacigarandlightedit，andthenheremarked：
　　"Icaneasilyimaginehowawindmightcomebeforeyousailorsmightwantit，butIdon'tseehowChristmascouldcometoosoon。"
　　"Itcomewunstonmewhenthingscouldn't`a'lookedmoreonreadyfurit，"saidSilas。
　　"Howwasthat？"askedMr。Nugent，settlinghimselfalittlemorecomfortablyonthehardthwart。"Ifit'sastory，let'shaveit。Thisisagoodtimetospinayarn。"
　　"Verywell，"saidoldSilas。"I'llspinher。"
　　Thebare-leggedboywhosedutyitwastostayforwardandmindthejibcameaftassoonashesmeltastory，andtookanauticalposition，whichwasdulystudiedbyMr。Nugent，onabagofballastinthebottomoftheboat。
　　"It'snighontofifteenyearago，"saidSilas，"thatIwasonthebarkMaryAuguster，boundforSydney，NewSouthWales，withacargoofcannedgoods。Wewassomewhereaboutlongitoodahundredan'seventy，latitoodnothin'，an'itwasthetwenty-
　　secondo'December，whenwewasketchedbyareg'lartyphoonwhichblewstraightalong，endon，furadayan'ahalf。Itblewawaythestorm-sails。Itblewawayeveryyard，spar，shroud，an'
　　everystrando'riggin'，an'snappedthemastsoffclosetothedeck。Itblewawayalltheboats。Itblewawaythecook'scaboose，an'everythin'elseondeck。Itblewoffthehatches，an'sent'emspinnin'intheairaboutamiletoleeward。An'
　　aforeitgotthrough，itwashedawaythecap'nan'allthecrew'ceptmean'twoothers。ThesewasTomSimmons，thesecondmate，an'AndyBoyle，achapfromtheAdirondackMount'ins，who'dneverbeentoseaafore。Ashewasalandsman，heought，byrights，to'a'beenswep'offbythewindan'water，consid'rin'thatthecap'nan'sixteengoodseamenhadgonea'ready。Buthehadhandselevenincheslong，an'thatgivehimagripwhichnotyphooncouldgitthebetterof。AndyhadletoutthathisfatherwasamillerupthereinYorkState，an'astoryhadgotroundamongthecrewthathisgranfatheran'great-gran'fatherwasmillers，too；an'thewaythefam'lygotsuchbighandscomefromtheirhabitofscoopin'upaextryquartortwoofmealorflourfurthemselveswhentheywaslevellin'offtheircustomers'
　　measures。Hewasagood-nateredfeller，though，an'nevergotriledwhenI'dtellhimtoclaphisflour-scoopsonterahalyard。
　　"Wewasallsoaked，an'washed，an'beat，an'battered。Weheldonsomewayorothertillthewindbloweditselfout，an'
　　thenwegotonourlegsan'begantolookaboutustoseehowthingsstood。Theseahadwashedintotheopenhatchestillthevesselwasmore'nhalffullofwater，an'thathadsunkher，sodeepthatshemust'a'lookedlikeacanal-boatloadedwithgravel。Wehadn'thadathingtoeatordrinkdurin'thatwholeblow，an'wewasprettyravenous。Wefoundakegofwaterwhichwasallright，andaboxofbiscuitwhichwaswhatyoumightcallsofttack，furtheywassoakedthroughan'throughwithsea-water。
　　Weeatalotofthemso，furwecouldn'twait，an'therestwespreadonthedecktodry，furthesunwasnowshinin'hotenoughtobakebread。Wecouldn'tgobelowmuch，furtherewasaprettygoodswellonthesea，an'thingswasfloatin'aboutso'stomakeitdangerous。Butwefishedoutapieceofcanvas，whichweriggedupag'in'thestumpofthemainmastsothatwecouldhavesomethin'thatwecouldsitdownan'grumbleunder。Whatstruckusallthehardestwasthatthebarkwasloadedwithawholecargoofjollythingstoeat，whichwasjustasgoodasevertheywas，furthewatercouldn'tgitthroughthetincansinwhichtheywasallputup，an'herewewaswithnothin'toliveonbutthemsaltedbiscuit。Therewasn'tnowayofgittin'atanyoftheship'sstores，oranyofthefancyprog，fureverythin'wasstowedawaytightundersixorsevenfeetofwater，an'prettynighalltheroomthatwasleftbetweendeckswasfilledupwithextryspars，lumber，boxes，an'otherfloatin'stuff。Allwasshiftin'，an'bumpin'，an'bangin'everytimethevesselrolled。
　　"AsIsaidafore，Tomwassecondmate，an'Iwasbo's'n。
　　SaysItoTom，`Thethingwe'vegottodoistoputupsomekindofasparwitharagonitfuradistressflag，sothatwe'lllosenotimebein'tookoff。'`There'snousea-slavin'atanythin'likethat，'saysTom，`furwe'vebeenblowedoffthetrackoftraders，an'themoreweworkthehungrierwe'llgit，an'thesoonerwillthembiscuitbegone。'
　　"NowwhenIhearedTomsaythisIsotstillan'begantoconsider。Bein'secondmate，Tomwas，byrights，incommandofthiscraft。Butitwaseasyenoughtoseethatifhecommandedthere'dneverbenothin'furAndyan'metodo。Allthegrithehadinhimhe'dusedupinholdin'ondurin'thattyphoon。WhathewantedtodonowwastomakehimselfcomfortabletillthetimecomeforhimtogotoDavyJones'slocker——an'thinkin'，mostlikely，thatDavycouldn'tmakeitanyhotterfurhimthanitwasonthatdeck，stillinlatitoodnothin'atall，furwe'dbeenblowedalongthelineprettynighduewest。SoIcallstoAndy，whowasbusyturnin'overthebiscuitsonthedeck。`Andy，'saysI，whenhehadgotunderthecanvas，`we'sgoin'tohavea'lectionfurskipper。Tom，here，isaboutplayedout。He'sonecandydate，an'I'manother。Now，whodoyouvotefur？An'mindyereye，youngster，thatyoudon'tmakenomistake。'`Ivotefuryou'saysAndy。`Carriedunanermous！'saysI。`An'IwantyoutotakenoticethatI'mcap'nofwhat'sleftoftheMaryAuguster，an'youtwohasgottokeepyourmindsonthat，an'
　　obeyorders。'IfDavyJoneswastodoallthatTomSimmonssaidwhenhehearedthis，theoldchapwouldbekeptbusierthanheeverwasyit。ButIlethimgrowlhisgrowlout，knowin'he'dcomeroundallright，furtherewasn'tnohelpfurit，consid'rin'Andyan'mewastwotohisone。Prettysoonweallwenttowork，an'gotupasparfrombelow，whichweriggedtothestumpoftheforemast，withAndy'sshirtatopofit。
　　"Themsea-soaked，sun-driedbiscuitwasprettymeanprog，asyoumightthink，butweeatsomanyof'emthatafternoon，an'
　　'cordinglydranksomuchwater，thatIwasobligedtoputusallonshortrationsthenextday。`ThisisthedayaforeChristmas，'saysAndyBoyle，`an'to-nightwillbeChristmaseve，an'it'sprettytoughfurustobesittin'herewithnotevensomuchhardtackaswewant，an'allthetimethinkin'thattheholdofthisshipispackedfullofthegayestkindofgoodthingstoeat。'`ShutupaboutChristmas！'saysTomSimmons。`Themtwoyoungstersofmine，upinBangor，ishavin'theirtoesandnosesprettynighfroze，I'spect，butthey'llhanguptheirstockin'sallthesameto-night，neverthinkin'thattheirdad'sbein'
　　cookedaliveonaemptystomach。'`Ofcoursetheywouldn'thang'emup，'saysI，iftheyknowedwhatafixyouwasin，buttheydon'tknowit，an'what'stheuseofgrumblin'at'emfurbein'alittlejolly？'`Well，'saysAndy`theycouldn'tbemorejollierthanI'dbeifIcouldgitatsomeofthemfancyfixin'sdowninthehold。Iworkedwellontoaweekat'Friscoputtin'
　　inthemboxes，an'thenamesofthethingswasontheoutsideofmostof'em；an'Itellyouwhatitis，mates，itmademymouthwater，eventhen，toread'em，an'Iwasn'thungry，nuther，havin'plentytoeatthreetimesaday。Therewasroastbeef，an'roastmutton，an'duck，an'chicken，an'soup，an'peas，an'
　　beans，an'termaters，an'plum-puddin'，an'mince-pie——'`Shutupwithyourmince-pie！'sungoutTomSimmons。`Isn'titenoughtohavetognawonthesesaltchips，withouthearin'aboutmince-
　　pie？'`An'more'nthat'saysAndy，`therewascannedpeaches，an'pears，an'plums，an'cherries。'
　　"Nowthesethingsdidsoundsocoolan'goodtomeonthatbr'ilin'deckthatIcouldn'tstandit，an'IleansovertoAndy，an'Isays：`Nowlook-ahere；ifyoudon'tshutuptalkin'aboutthemthingswhat'sstowedbelow，an'whatwecan'tgitatnohow，overboardyougo！'`Thatwouldmakeyoushort-handed，'saysAndy，withagrin。`Whichismore'nyoucouldsay，'saysI，`ifyou'dchuckToman，meover'——alludin'tohiseleven-inchgrip。
　　Andydidn'tsaynomorethen，butafterawhilehecomestome，asIwaslookin'roundtoseeifanythingwasinsight，an'sayshe，`Isposeyouain'tgotnothin'tosayag'in'mydivin'intotheholdjustaftoftheforemast，wherethereseemstobeabitofprettyclearwater，an'seeifIcan'tgitupsomethin'？'
　　`Youkindoit，ifyoulike，'saysI，`butit'satyourownrisk。
　　Youcan'ttakeoutnoinsuranceatthisoffice。'`Allright，then，'saysAndy；`an'ifIgitstoveinbyfloatin'
　　boxes，youan'Tom'llhavetoeattherestofthemsaltcrackers。'`Now，boy，'saysI，——an'hewasn'tmuchmore，bein'
　　onlynineteenyearold，——`you'dbetterkeepouto'thathold。
　　You'lljustgityourselfsmashed。An'astomovin'anyofthemthereheavyboxes，whichmustbeswelledupastightasiftheywaspartoftheship，youmightaswelltrytopulloutoneoftheMaryAuguster'sribs。'`I'lltryit，'saysAndy，`furto-morrerisChristmas，an'ifIkinhelpitIain'tgoin'tobefloatin'atopofaChristmasdinnerwithouteatin'anyonit。'I
　　lethimgo，furhewasagoodswimmeran'diver，an'Ididhopehemightrootoutsomethin'orother，furChristmasisabouttheworstdayintheyearfurmentobestarvin'on，an'that'swhatwewasa-comin'to。