86 CHOICE BITS FROM MARK TWAIN.
made one little mistake, Avhich I corrected: The
next time and the next he got them right. Now a
great burden seemed to tumble from my shoulders.
That torturing jingle departed out of my brain,
and a grateful sense of rest and peace descended
upon me. I was light-hearted enough to sing ; and
I did sing for half-an-hour, straight along, as we
went jogging homeward. Then my freed tongue
found blessed speech again, and the pent talk of
many a weary hour began to gush and flow. It
flowed on and on, joyously, jubilantly, until the
fountain was empty and dry. As I wrung my
friend's hand at parting, I said,—
" Haven't we had a royal good time ! But now
I remember, you haven't said a word for two hours.
Come, come, out with something! "
The Rev. Mr.------turned a lack-lustre eye upon
me, drew a deep sigh, and said, without animation,
without apparent consciousness,—
" Punch, brothers, punch with care ! Punch in
the presence of the passenjare ! "
A pang shot through me as I said to myself,
" Poor fellow, poor fellow ! he has got it now."
I did not see Mr.------for two or three days after
that. Then, on Tuesday evening, he staggered
nto my presence, and sank dejectedly into a seat.
He was pale, worn ; he was a wreck. He lifted his
faded eyes to my face, and said,—
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