"Pretty well, Miss, pretty well. Particular for long words, when I likes the sound of them. ’Well sir,’ I says, feeling rather taken aback, ’thank God I haven’t got it.’ ’No, ma’am,’ says he, ’your blooming countenance entirely negatives any such dyingnoses. But the Professor, in passing the other morning, observed some symptoms of it in your magnificent cat, for whom he entertains the most sincere attachment, and whom he will cure for our advancement and edification upon the lecture table. And now, ma’am, Professor Sallenders desires his most respectful compliments, and will you allow us to take that dear good cat to be cured. The Professor was instrumental once in preserving his honoured existence, therefore he feels assured that you will not now refuse him.’ Well you see, Miss, I didn’t half like to let him go, but I was afraid to offend the Professor, because of all my animals, for I knew that he could put a blight upon them, birds and all, if he chose. Old Tom was lying roasting his back again the fender, the same as you see him now, poor soul; so I catched him up and put him in a double covered basket, with a bit of flannel over him, because the weather was cold; and he was so clever, would you believe it, he put up his old paws to fight me, he knew he was going to mischief, and that turned me rather. ’Now will you promise to bring him back safe?’ I says. ’Ma’am,’ says the lantern-jawed young man, bowing over his heart, and as serious as a pulpit, ’Ma’am, in less than an hour. Rely upon the honour of Weteran Arian Gent." "Well, Mrs. Shelfer, I am astonished. Even I should never have been so silly. Poor old Tom among the Philistines!"