"Well, ther weeks went by, and sech a feelin' cum over me ez I'd never 'sperienced afore. I thot first 'twar hay fever comin' on. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. I war restless when thet woman war gone. I war skeery like when she war round; and war given to havin' little hot spells and then chills, and I said, 'I know it's ther blasted malarier.'
"So I took k'neen and juniper tea, and fancied I hed night sweats—jest the cussedest time, Jim, thet yo' ever seen.
"One day when I war a-sittin' in ther house and a-mopin', Aunt Sue cum in and looked hard at me, and says she: 'Mr. Jordan, does yo' know what's der matter wid ye?'
"I told her I didn't; thet I'd give a band o' cattle ter find out.
"'Laws,' says she, 'I'd tell cheaper'n dat, only yo'd think I is sassy.'
"I said: 'Aunty, yo' goahead. If yo's sassy, I's too sick to care.'
"'Why, bless yo' soul, honey,' says she, 'yo's jest ded in lub wid the schoolma'm, Mrs. Margaret. I noze. I's been dar myself.'
"'O, git out,' says I.
"She went out laffin', but at ther door she stopped a second and says:
"'Dat's it, sho, Mr. Jordan,' and after ther door closed I hearn her ha-hain'.