"'Tis a bad thing to have the inner tubes out of order--nobody knows that better'n what I do," confessed Mrs. Weekes. "My unfortunate spasms be all owing to some lifelong failure in the tubes." "Through peppermint comes salvation, however," murmured Philip. He had just uttered this great truth when Susan rushed wildly upon them, and in doing so precipitated one of those identical agitations her aunt had just deplored. "Lord save us, you little fool!" cried Philip. "Bursting into a room so--all endwise, like a frightened fowl! Don't you know your aunt better?" "'Tis cousin Mary--she's took. Jar's gone for doctor, and Mrs. Taverner's along with her, and of course I come for Aunt Hepsy." "Took! So like as not you're lying. 'Tis a fortnight afore the time." "Don't know nothing about that," answered Susan. "But took she is--for good or evil--so you'd better come, I reckon. Anyway, she cried out for you the moment she got bad." "A pretty darling, and well she might!" said Mrs. Weekes. "Thank the watching Lord she's in her own house, and the schoolmaster ain't there to add another terror to the scene." "He is there," answered Susan. "He's in the parlour, calculating exactly how long 'twill be in minutes afore Dr. Hext can get up from Bridgetstowe." "Us'll soon have _him_ out, anyhow," said Hephzibah. "Fetch down my grey shawl and black bonnet, and the basket as you'll find in the corner of my bedroom, Susan. All be there that's called for." "One of the fore-handed ones, you," said Mr. Huggins with admiration. "I believe so," she answered. "You've got to be fore-handed in matters of body and soul, Valentine Huggins; and them as ban't, get left behind in this world and forgot in the next." She kicked off her slippers and drew on a pair of elastic-sided boots which stood by the fire. Then Susan brought her shawl and bonnet. "Take the basket and I'll be after you," said Mrs. Weekes. "And as for you, Philip, you'll do well to wash up, bank the fire, put the kettle on the hob just near, to catch heat without boiling, and then come across to Jarratt's to see if there's anything I can set you upon. And, for the sake of pride, put a little more uprightness into your bearing. You slouch like a bachelor--always have; and yet afore another morning, if God so wills, you'll be a grandfather." She whirled away, and the men were left alone. Mr. Huggins mopped his forehead. "Lord, what a masterpiece among women! Don't she often bring the perspiration out on your brow?" he asked. "Not now," answered Mr. Weekes. "I'm long past that."