That city feller's health will
improve right off, and he'll go up to Boston a wiser man than when he
come down."
"That's so," remarked Abner; and as he spoke he stood up as if to
emphasize his words. Before he sat down, however, he reached across the
table for the bottle, but again Strout was too quick for him.
"I was only goin' to drink yer health an' success to yer," said Abner.
"All right," said Strout, "make it half a glass and I'll jine yer."
The two men clinked their glasses, drank, and smacked their lips.
"If you don't go to bed now you won't git up till to-morrer," said the
Professor.
"Yer mean ter-day," chuckled Abner, as he got up and walked 'round to
the other side of the table, where he had left his lamp.
"I guess," remarked Strout, "I'll have some more fire. I ain't goin' to
bed jest yet. I've got some heavy thinkin' to do."
While he was upon his knees arranging the wood, starting up the embers
with the bellows, Abner reached across the table and got possession of
his tumbler, from which he had fortunately removed the spoon. Grasping
the bottle he filled it to the brim and tossed it down in three big
swallows.
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