Page:In defense of Harriet Shelley, and other essays.djvu/376

 MARK TWAIN

starve nine or ten hours, the others twelve or fifteen. Before long they began to beg; and indeed they suffered a good deal. They complained of nausea, headache, and so on. It was good to see them eat when the time was up. They could not remember when the devouring of a meal had afforded them such rapture that was their word. Now, then, that ought to have ended their cure, but it didn t. They were free to go to any meals in the house, and they chose their accustomed four. Within a day or two I had to interfere. Their appetites were weakening. I made them knock out a meal. That set them up again. Then they resumed the four. I begged them to learn to knock out a meal themselves, without waiting for me. Up to a fortnight ago they couldn t; they really hadn t manhood enough; but they were gaining it, and now I think they are safe. They drop out a meal every now and then of their own accord. They are in fine condition now, and they might safely go home, I think, but their con fidence is not quite perfect yet, so they are waiting awhile.&quot;

&quot;Other cases are different?&quot;

&quot;Oh, yes. Sometimes a man learns the whole trick in a week. Learns to regulate his appetite and keep it in perfect order. Learns to drop out a meal with frequency and not mind it.&quot;

&quot;But why drop the entire meal out? Why not a part of it?&quot;

&quot;It s a poor device, and inadequate. If the stomach doesn t call vigorously with a shout, as you may say it is better not to pester it, but just

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