“I don't know what killed him,” replied the doctor. “He was stretched out on the floor when I got there.”
“Did he die just like anybody else?” said the woman.
“No,” answered the doctor, “he didn't die like anybody that I ever saw. Will you get me that corn?”
The woman went into the mill and presently came out with the toll measure full of corn. She poured it into the box. Then she sat down on the porch beside the doctor, and began to roll the end of her apron between her fat fingers.
“When did ole Nicholas take down?” she began.
“I don't know that,” said the doctor. “Jonas Black was crossing the mountain about noon, an' old Nicholas called to him and told him to tell me to come and see him. I went up last night.”
“It's a wonder you went,” said the miller. “Ole Nicholas wouldn't pay you, would he?”
“If he didn't pay me, I wouldn't go,” replied the doctor, “you can depend on that. I've quit bringin' 'em in or seein' 'em out unless I get the cash in my hand.”
“I didn't think he had any money. He was always buyin' wild lands of the State.”
“I don't know how much money he had,” replied the doctor, “but I do know that it was always there on the table for me when I went. If it hadn't a-been, I wouldn't have darkened his door.”