Page:In defense of Harriet Shelley, and other essays.djvu/204

 MARK TWAIN

it was outside, he calculated to make us comfort able, anyway. I said nothing, but I believed he was not choosing the right way. Meantime he was humming to himself just as before; and meantime, too, the stove was getting hotter and hotter, and the place closer and closer. I felt myself growing pale and qualmish, but grieved in silence and said nothing. Soon I noticed that the &quot;Sweet By and By&quot; was gradually fading out; next it ceased altogether, and there was an ominous stillness. After a few moments Thompson said

&quot;Pfew! I reckon it ain t no cinnamon t I ve loaded up thish-yer stove with!&quot;

He gasped once or twice, then moved toward the cof gun-box, stood over that Limburger cheese part of a moment, then came back and sat down near me, looking a good deal impressed. After a contemplative pause, he said, indicating the box with a gesture

4 Friend of yourn?&quot;

&quot;Yes,&quot; I said with a sigh.

&quot;He s pretty ripe, ain t he!&quot;

Nothing further was said for perhaps a couple of minutes, each being busy with his own thoughts; then Thompson said, in a low, awed voice

&quot;Sometimes it s uncertain whether they re really gone or not seem gone, you know body warm, joints limber and so, although you think they re gone, you don t really know. I ve had cases in my car. It s perfectly awful, becuz you don t know what minute they ll rise up and look at you !&quot; Then, after a pause, and slightly lifting his elbow toward

�� �