“Never put anything on paper, never put anything on paper,” said Mr. Ellet, in a solemn tone, with a ludicrously frightened air; “parchments, lawyers, witnesses, and things, make me nervous.”
“Ha! ha!” chuckled the old lady from her hiding-place in the china-closet.
“Well, then, if you won’t put it on paper, tell me what you will give,” said the persistent doctor.
“I’ll think about it,” said the frenzied Mr. Ellet, seizing his hat, as if instant escape were his only safety.
The doctor followed him into the hall.
“Did you make him do it?” asked the old lady, in a hoarse whisper, as the doctor entered.
“Yes; but it was like drawing teeth,” replied the doctor. “It is astonishing how avaricious he is; he may not stick to his promise now, for he would not put it on paper, and there was no witness.”
“Wasn’t there though?” said the old lady, chuckling. “Trust me for that.”