him, and he lost strength day by day, yet Frau
Vorkel could not persuade him to see a physician. He often, however,
inhaled deep draughts of a concoction that he had made in the laboratory
with his son's letter before him, and as he seemed to derive no benefit
from it he would distil it again and mix with it new drugs.

One evening-after having spent the whole day in the laboratory--he
retired unusually early, and when Frau Vorkel went into his room to
carry him his "nightcap" he forgot his usual amiable and suave manner
and growled out at her angrily: "After all these years, can't you
prepare my bed for the night without making me burn myself? Must you be
inattentive as well as stupid?"

Never had she heard such a speech as this from her kindly master, and
when from fright she tipped the tray which she was carrying and spilled
some of the mulled wine over her gown, he cried sharply: "Where are your
wits! First you forget to take the red hot warming-pan out of the bed
and now you old goose you spill my good drink onto the floor."

He stopped, for Frau Vorkel had set down the tray on the table in order
to wipe her eyes with her apron; then he thrust his feet out of the
bed-which was entirely contrary to his usual decorous behavior--and
demanded with flashing eyes: "Did you hear what I just said?"

The widow, greatly shocked, retreated and answered sobbing: "How could
I help hearing, and how can you bring yourself to insult an unprotected
widow who has served you long and faithfully...."

"I have done it, I have done it," the old man cried, his eyes glistening
with joy and pride as if he had just accomplished an heroic undertaking.
"I am sorry I called you a goose, and as for your lack of brains, well
you might have a few more, but, and this I can assure you, you are
honest and true and understand your business, and if you will only be as
good to me as I have always been to you...."

"Oh, Herr...." Widow Vorkel interrupted him, and covered her face with
her apron; but he would not let her finish her sentence, so great was
his excitement and continued in a hoarse voice: "You must grant what I
ask, Vorkel, after all these years, and if you will, you must take that
little phial there and inhale its contents, and when you have done so
you must let me ask you some questions."

After much persuasion, the housekeeper yielded to the wishes of her
master, and while she still held the little bottle from which the ether
escap