tonics, dead
catsups, syrups of undesirable preserves, condemned extracts of
vanilla and lemon, decayed chocolate, ex-essence of beef, mixed dental
preparations, aromatic spirits of ammonia, spirits of nitre, alcohol,
arnica, quinine, ipecac, sal volatile, nux vomica and licorice water--
with traces of arsenic, belladonna and strychnine.

Penrod put the licorice water out of sight and turned to face the
others. Maurice was seating himself on a box just outside the door and
had taken a package of cigarettes from his pocket.

"Nobody can see me from here, can they?" he said, striking a match. "You
fellers smoke?"

"No," said Sam, staring at him haggardly.

"No," said Penrod in a whisper.

Maurice lit his cigarette and puffed showily.

"Well, sir," he remarked, "you fellers are certainly square--I gotta
say that much. Honest, Penrod, I thought you was after me! I did
think so," he added sunnily; "but now I guess you like me, or else
you wouldn't of stuck to it about lettin' me drink it all if I kept on
swallering."

He chatted on with complete geniality, smoking his cigarette in content.
And as he ran from one topic to another his hearers stared at him in a
kind of torpor. Never once did they exchange a glance with each other;
their eyes were frozen to Maurice. The cheerful conversationalist made
it evident that he was not without gratitude.

"Well," he said as he finished his cigarette and rose to go, "you
fellers have treated me nice and some day you come over to my yard; I'd
like to run with you fellers. You're the kind of fellers I like."

Penrod's jaw fell; Sam's mouth had been open all the time. Neither
spoke.

"I gotta go," observed Maurice, consulting a handsome watch. "Gotta get
dressed for the cotillon right after lunch. Come on, Sam. Don't you have
to go, too?"

Sam nodded dazedly.

"Well, good-bye, Penrod," said Maurice cordially. "I'm glad you like me
all right. Come on, Sam."

Penrod leaned against the doorpost and with fixed and glazing eyes
watched the departure of his two visitors. Maurice was talking volubly,
with much gesticulation, as they went; but Sam walked mechanically
and in silence, staring at his brisk companion and keeping at a little
distance from him.

They passed from sight, Maurice still conversing gayly--and Penrod
slowly betook himself into the house, his head bowed upon his chest.

Some three hours later, Mr. Samuel Williams, waxen clean and in sweet
raiment, made h