take one you'll take another and another, and I stake my wig if you don't break off short, you'll die - do you understand that? - die, and go to your own place, like the man in the Bible. Come, now, make an effort. I'll help you to your bed for once.'

Between us, with much trouble, we managed to hoist him upstairs, and laid him on his bed, where his head fell back on the pillow, as if he were almost fainting.

`Now, mind you,' said the doctor, `I clear my conscience - the name of rum for you is death.'

And with that he went off to see my father, taking me with him by the arm.

`This is nothing,' he said, as soon as he had closed the door. `I have drawn blood enough to keep him quiet a while; he should lie for a week where he is - that is the best thing for him and you; but another stroke would settle him.'