Page:The Rejuvenation Of Miss Semaphore.pdf/49

 efficacy of the water before the draft was presented.

"She is very emphatic as to its genuineness," said Miss Semaphore; "but of course we do not know her, and she may not speak the truth. If she is an honest person—and certainly her references are all that can be desired—she will be quite willing to give us a chance of first finding out whether the water is really any good. A thousand pounds is a great deal of money, and we ought to run no risks."

"She says she is willing to give you a proof before purchase."

"I wonder what sort of proof?"

"Perhaps take some herself."

"I shouldn't like that. It would be a pity to waste any of it."

"I tell you what," said Miss Semaphore, after consideration, "I'll take Toutou and make her give him a little, just for an experiment. You see he would require much less than a human being, unless we had quite a young girl at hand, and on her it might not show. The poor darling is nearly fifteen. A mere sip should suffice for him."

"Perhaps it does not act on animals," suggested Miss Prudence.