th which had caused her a great deal of suffering at
intervals for many months; but she was a timid woman, and would not have
allowed me for five guineas, I believe, even to look into her mouth. I
also tried to tempt our small stable-boy with a similar sum. He was a
plucky little fellow, and, although there was not an unsound tooth in
his head, agreed to let me draw one of the _smallest_ of his back teeth
for seven and sixpence if it should come out the first pull, and
sixpence for every extra rug! I thought the little fellow extravagant
in his demands, but, rather than lose the chance, submitted. He sat
down quite boldly on our operating chair, but grew pale when I advanced
with the instrument; when I tried to open his mouth, he began to
whimper, and finally, struggling out of my grasp, fled. I afterwards
gave him sixpence, however, for affording me, as I told him, so much
pleasurable anticipation.

"After this I cast about for another subject, but failed to procure a
live one. It occurred to me, however, that I might try my hand on two
skeletons that hung in our garret, so I got their heads off without
delay, and gradually extracted every tooth in their jaws. As there were
about sixty teeth, I think, in each pair, I felt myself much improved
before the jaws were toothless. At last, I resolved to take advantage
of the first opportunity that should offer, during my father's absence,
to practise on the living subject. It was not long before I had a
chance.

"One morning my father went out, leaving me in the surgery, as was his
wont. I was deeply immersed in a book on anatomy, when I heard a
tremendous double rap--as if made with the head of a stick--at the outer
door, and immediately after the question put in the gruff bass voice of
an Irishman, `Is the dactur within?'

"A tremendous growl of disappointment followed the reply. Then, after a
pause, `Is the assistant within?' This was followed by a heavy tread in
the passage and, next moment; an enormous man, in very ragged fustian,
with a bronzed hairy face, and a reaping-hook under his arm, stood in
the surgery, his head almost touching the ceiling.

"`Sure it's niver the dactur's assistant ye are?' he exclaimed, with a
look of surprise.

"I rose, drew myself up, and, endeavouring to look very solemn, said
that I was, and demanded to know if I could do anything for him.

"`Ah, then, it's a small assistant ye are, anyhow,' he remarked; but
stopped sudde