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。