in' to eat or drink nuther, but when yer git the dishes washed
I want yer ter go on an errand for me."

It was half past six when Samanthy Green again stood in Mrs. Putnam's
room.

"I want yer to go right down to Zeke Pettengill's and tell his sister
Alice that I want her to come right up here. Tell her it's my las'
sickness, and I won't take 'no' for an answer. Be sure you put it to her
jest as I do; and Samanthy," as Samanthy opened the door and was leaving
the room, "say, Samanthy, don't git anybody to do the errand for you."

About ten minutes after Samanthy left the house, Lindy Putnam entered
the sick room. Mrs. Putnam's pain had been relieved somewhat by the
mustard, and this relief restored, to a great extent, her usual vigor of
mind.

"What are you up here for?" cried Mrs. Putnam, a look of displeasure
clouding her face.

"I knew Samanthy had gone out, and so I came up to see if I could do
anything for you, mother."

"Don't mother me. I ain't your mother, and I mean everybody shall know
it soon's I'm dead."

"I've had to say mother before other people," explained Lindy, "and
that's why I forgot myself then. Pray excuse me."

"Oh, don't put on yer citified airs when yer talkin' to me. Ain't yer
glad I'm goin' ter die?"

"I hope you will get better, Mrs. Putnam," answered Lindy.

"You know better," rejoined Mrs. Putnam. "You'll be glad when I'm gone,
for then you kin go gallivantin' 'round and spend the money that my son
worked hard fur."

"I've used very little of it," said Lindy; "less than the interest; I
have never touched the principal."

Lindy still remained standing at the foot of the bed.

"Didn't yer hear me say I didn't want nuthin'?" asked Mrs. Putnam.

"I will leave the room then," replied Lindy quietly.

"I wish you would," said Mrs. Putnam, "and you'll do me a favor if
you'll pack yer duds as quick as yer can and git out of the house and
never come back agin."

"I will leave the room, but I cannot leave the house while you are
alive," remarked Lindy firmly.

"Why not?" said Mrs. Putnam. "I want to die in peace, and I shall go
much easier if I know I haven't got to set my eyes on your face agin."

"I promised Jones," said Lindy, "that I would never leave you while you
were alive."

"Oh, you promised Jones, did yer?" cried Mrs. Putnam with a sneer.
"Wall, Jones will let you off on yer promise jest to 'blige me, so yer
needn't stay any longer."

As Lindy walked towards the do