“I dare say you would! But they won’t help you a bit. They just taste good, that’s all. You might as well eat sweet chocolate or gum drops! These things will cure you, don’t you see? Go on now, Small, be sensible, can’t you? Try another one. Honest, after you’ve got used to them you’ll like them awfully!”
“I don’t believe I need ’em,” muttered Small, viewing the box doubtfully. “My cough’s a good deal better than it was, and——”
“Better! It’s a whole lot worse, Small. I’ve been noticing it. You think it’s better, I dare say, but that’s just one of the symptoms. Why, folks that have tuburcu—tub—that have consumption don’t ever realize how sick they are, Small! They keep on thinking all the time that they’re getting better.”
Small looked genuinely uncomfortable. He laughed a hollow laugh and coughed.
“Quick!” cried Kid. “Now’s the time! Take one!”
Small made a wild dash at the box, spilled several of the tablets in the snow and finally got one into his mouth. Almost at once, after a few choking sounds, the coughing stopped. Small looked at Kid in alarm.
“Gee!” he muttered hoarsely. “I swallowed it whole!”
Kid was equal to the emergency. “Fine!” he exclaimed. “You get the effect quicker that way. Have another!”
But Small shook his head and hastily dropped the box of tablets in his pocket. “I don’t believe I want any more just yet,” he said.
“Well, it’s a good plan to keep one dissolving in your mouth all the time.”