"Think that's ernuff?" the woman asked.
"It's nearly half a teaspoonful. Enough to make five men sleep throughout eternity."
A moment later the host entered Blake's room. His manner was free from embarrassment. In one hand he held a glass containing water.
"Stranger, I don't want to disturb you, but it occurred to me just now that you looked as if you might be going to have a spell of sickness, so I thought I would bring you some medicine. I am willing to help a man, but I don't want him to be sick on my hands. I am a doctor, but I don't propose to keep a hospital."
"Suppose I refuse to take the medicine?"
"Then you'll put me to the trouble of pouring it down you, that's all. I am a mighty gentle sort of a fellow as long as everything goes on all right, but if a hitch occurs, why I am as rough as a swamp oak."
"Are you sure the medicine will not hurt me?"
"Hurt you! Why, it will do you good. Here, swallow it down."
Blake drank the contents of the glass. The host smiled, bowed, and withdrew. Then there followed another whispered conversation.