下载辰思小说免费APP
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。
